 | Culture of the Netherlands: Encyclopedia - Culture of the Netherlands
Culture of the Netherlands
For more background on this topic, see Netherlands.
This article deals with the culture of the Netherlands.
To get to know Netherlands' current popular culture and society, it's best to read the lyrics of a very popular song by Lange Frans & Baas B that apparently reflects the feelings of many people in the Netherlands: Het land van... ("The country of..."). It mentions several aspects of typical Dutch culture. One of them is an annual event called fietsvierdaagse.
Culture of the Netherlands - Architecture
The first significant period of Dutch architecture was during the Dutch Golden Age. Due to the thriving economy cities expanded greatly. New town halls, weighhouses and storehouses were built. Merchants that had gained a fortune ordered a new house built along one of the many new canals that were dug out in and around many cities (for defense and transport purposes), a house with an ornamented façade that befitted their new status. In the countryside new country houses were built, though not in large numbers. For more information see: Dutch Golden Age.
See also:
- Jacob van Campen (1595-1657)
- Lieven de Key (ca. 1560-1627)
- Hendrik de Keyser (1565-1621)
During the 20th century Dutch architects played a leading role in the development of modern architecture. Out of the early 20th century rationalist architecture of Berlage, architect of the Amsterdam Beurs, three separate groups developed during the 1920’s, each with their own view on the direction modern architecture should take. Expressionist architects like M. de Klerk and P.J. Kramer in Amsterdam (also known as the Amsterdam School). Functionalist architects (Nieuwe Zakelijkheid or Nieuwe Bouwen) like Mart Stam (Housing in Stuttgart), L.C. van der Vlugt (Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam) and Johannes Duiker (Zonnestraal in Hilversum and Open Air School in Amsterdam) connected with the international modernist group CIAM. A third group came out of De Stijl, J.J.P Oud and Gerrit Rietveld among them, both architects later built in a functionalist style.
During the 50’s and 60’s a new generation of architects like Aldo van Eyck (Burgerweeshuis in Amsterdam), J.B. Bakema and Herman Hertzberger, known as the ‘Forum generation’ (named after the magazine Forum) connected with international groups like Team 10.
From the 80’s to the present Rem Koolhaas and his Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) became one of the leading world architects. In his wake architects and offices like MVRDV, Mecanoo, Erick van Egeraat (EEA) and Neutelings Riedijk formed a new generation (the third) of Dutch architects working in a modernist tradition.
See also:
- Hendrik Petrus Berlage (1856-1934)
- J. H. van den Broek (1898-1978)
- P. J. H. Cuypers (1827-1921)
- Willem Marinus Dudok (1884-1974)
- Johannes Duiker (1890-1935)
- Aldo van Eyk (1918-1999)
- Rem Koolhaas (1944)
- MVRDV
- J. J. P. Oud (1890-1963)
- S. van Ravesteyn
- Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964)
Dutch people, List of Dutch people, Lutheran-Reformed Church
Culture of the Netherlands - Art
Until the religious wars of the late 16th century, Dutch and Flemish art are hard to separate. Most artists of the period (like Breugel) are described a Flemish, even though their place of birth is often unknown or disputed. Some of the most famous truly Dutch artists from before the seventeenth century are Hieronymus Bosch, a painter and the brothers de Limbourg, three miniaturists who are most famous for their work for the Duke of Berry.
In the seventeenth century, many painters flee Flanders, for religious reasons and because the Netherlands are growing economically. Both regions have a golden age of painting in this period. The most famous Dutch master is Rembrandt van Rijn, but other painters such as Johannes Vermeer or Frans Hals are nowadays world famous as well.
In the 18th and 19th century, the Dutch artists are less well known. The most important paintings are the land- and seascapes (or marines). Only at the end of the 19th century appears a new internationally important painter with Vincent Van Gogh.
In the 20th century have the Netherlands produced many fine painters and artists, including Piet Mondriaan and some of the members of the COBRA movement, including Karel Appel.
The Dutch have a distinct comics tradition as well. Heavy readers of Flemish comics ([[Spike and Suzy]]), Franco-Belgian comics, and American kids comics from Disney, they also achieved their own tradition, with a more literary kind of comics. The most prominent author was Marten Toonder and his creation Tom Puss.
Culture of the Netherlands - Graphic arts
Culture of the Netherlands - Museums
- Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
- Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo
- Museum Boymans van Beuningen, Rotterdam
- Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
- Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam
Culture of the Netherlands - Nature
Culture of the Netherlands - Painting
- Karel Appel (1921)
- Hieronymus Bosch
- Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)
- Hendrik Goltzius
- Jan van Goyen (1596-1656)
- Frans Hals (ca. 1581-1666)
- Willem Claeszoon Heda
- Jan Davidszoon de Heem
- Pieter de Hooch (1629-1684)
- Jozef Israëls
- Peter Lely (1616-1680)
- Lucas van Leyden
- Limbourg brothers (miniaturists)
- Jan de Mabuse
- Anton Mauve
- Hendrik Willem Mesdag (1831-1915)
- Piet Mondrian (originally Mondriaan) (1872-1944)
- Antonio Moro
- Adriaen van Ostade (1610-1685)
- Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669)
- Salomon van Ruisdael
- Jan van Scorel (1495-1652)
- Jan Steen (1626-1679)
- Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675)
- Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen (1500-1559)
- Jacob de Wit
Culture of the Netherlands - Comics
- Gerrit De Jager
- Hanco Kolk
- Henk Kuijpers
- Martin Lodewijk
- Hans G. Kresse
- Dick Matena
- Peter De Smet
- Marten Toonder
- Windig & De Jong
- Fred Julsing
- Peter de Wit
See also
- List_of_museums#Netherlands
Culture of the Netherlands - Theatre
Culture of the Netherlands - Cabaret
- Lenette van Dongen, one-(wo)man-show
- Henk Elsink, one-man-show
- Herman Finkers, one-man-show
- Seth Gaaikema, one-man-show
- Freek de Jonge, one-man-show
- Hans Teeuwen, one-man-show
- Theo Maassen, one-man-show
- Youp van 't Hek, one-man-show
- Toon Hermans, one-man-show
- Brigitte Kaandorp, one-(wo)man-show
- Wim Kan, one-man-show
- Wim Sonneveld, one-man-show
- Paul van Vliet, one-man-show
- Mini & Maxi, cabaret
- Purper, cabaret
- Tingeltangel, cabaret
- André van Duyn, comedian
Culture of the Netherlands - Film
Culture of the Netherlands - Actors
- Rutger Hauer, actor
- Famke Janssen, actress
- Jeroen Krabbé, actor
- Moniek van de Ven, actress
Culture of the Netherlands - Films
- Anthonia
- De Lift
- Karakter
- De Aanslag
- De vierde man
- De tweeling
- Turks fruit
Culture of the Netherlands - Directors
- Jan de Bont, director
- Marleen Gorris, director
- Bert Haanstra, cameraman/director
- Matthijs van Heyningen, producer
- Paul Verhoeven, director/producer
- Alex van Warmerdam, director/producer
Culture of the Netherlands - Movie theaters
- Pathé (a French company) is a large movie theatre chain
IMAX theatres:
- Omniversum, The Hague - IMax Dome
- Pathé Imax, Amsterdam - Imax 15/70
Culture of the Netherlands - Music of the Netherlands
For more details on this topic, see Music of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands has multiple musical traditions, mostly related to nearby German and Belgian forms. Immigrants from Africa and the Middle East have also had a profound effect. Much more so than most non-English speaking European countries, the Netherlands has remained closely in tune with American and British trends.
Culture of the Netherlands - Music of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles
For more details on this topic, see Music of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles.
Aruba and the five main islands of the Netherlands Antilles are part of the Lesser Antilles island chain. Their music is a mixture of native, African and European elements, and is closely connected with trends from neighboring islands like Martinique, Trinidad and Guadeloupe, as well as the mainland former Dutch possession of Suriname, which has exported kaseko music to great success on the islands. Curaçao and Bonaire likely have the most active and well-known music scenes. Curaçao is known for a kind of music called tumba, which is named after the conga drums which accompany it.
Culture of the Netherlands - Classical music
- Louis Andriessen (1939)
- Jurjen de Haan
- Otto Ketting (1935)
- Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621)
Culture of the Netherlands - Orchestras
- Concertgebouworkest, Amsterdam
- Radio Philharmonisch Orkest
- Residentie Orkest
- Rotterdams Filharmonisch Orkest, Rotterdam
Culture of the Netherlands - Popular music
- Acda & de Munnik
- Herman Brood (1946-2001)
- BZN
- Father Abraham
- Golden Earring
- The Nits
- Tiesto
Culture of the Netherlands - Dance
- Nederlands Danstheater, Dutch Dance Theatre
- Scapino Ballet
Culture of the Netherlands - Publishing
Culture of the Netherlands - Newspapers
- Algemeen Dagblad
- De Telegraaf (full content also available on internet, for a fee)
- De Volkskrant
- Het Parool
- Nederlands Dagblad (full content also available on internet, for a fee)
- NRC Handelsblad
- Trouw
Culture of the Netherlands - Magazines
Ca. 70 Dutch magazines have been sold to and are now published by the Finnish publisher Sanoma. Apart from many typical Dutch ones like Margriet, Libelle and Nieuwe Revu these include a Disney magazine named after Donald Duck and the Dutch edition of Playboy.
Culture of the Netherlands - National library
- Koninklijke Bibliotheek - http://www.kb.nl/
Culture of the Netherlands - Food
For more details on this topic, see Dutch cuisine.
In the Netherlands it is common to have two cold meals and one hot meal. For snacks, people of the Netherlands usually eat fruit, candy bars, liquorice, or other snacks such as cakes, sausage rolls etc. Bread is generally eaten with breakfast and lunch while sometimes crispbread, crackers, ontbijtkoek, rye bread, cereal flakes or muesli substitute for the bread. Dinner begins usually with soup and the main course is compromised of boiled potatoes, vegetables and meat or fish. Rice, other cereal, pulses or pasta sometimes takes the place of the potatoes. Desert is usually yoghurt, cold custard or fruit. Holland is famous for its cheese products.
Some Dutch cheeses indlude:
- Edam cheese
- Gouda cheese
- Leyden cheese
Some tradional Dutch food include:
- Apple pie
- Drop
- Frikandel
- Haring
- Hagelslag
- Karnemelk
- Kroket
- Muisjes
- Pea Soup
- Poffertjes
- Stamppot
- Stroopwafel
- Vla
- Vlaai
Culture of the Netherlands - Language
Most ethnic Dutch people speak the Dutch language. The Dutch language is a West Germanic, Low Franconian language. The language originated in the Middle Ages, was standardized in the 16th century and has many Frankish and some Middle Low German influences. As the Netherlands have colonized Suriname in the 17th century, the language is also spoken there. Most people in Flanders speak Dutch as well. Frisian is also spoken as an official language of the Netherlands in the area of Friesland. A considerable percentage of the population is of South Asian or Middle Eastern nationality and therefor speak a different language although none of them are officially recognized as a national language. Dutch and Afrikaans are very similar as the Boers originated from the Netherlands. Most Dutch people can understand spoken Afrikaans easily.
Culture of the Netherlands - Religion
The Netherlands is one of the most secular countries in Europe. An estimated 40% of the population (1998) is non-religious. The remaining are 31% Roman Catholic, 21% Protestant, and 4.4% Muslim. Protestants used to be the largest religion in the Netherlands however over the past century the older Protestant churches have been in rapid decline. Recently Islam has begun to gain a foothold.
See also
- Dutch people
- List of Dutch people
- Lutheran-Reformed Church
Category: Dutch culture
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 Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Culture of the Netherlands", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki |
