Going Dutch: Seventeenth Century Paintings from the Collection

A rare opportunity to see the Gallery’s significant collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings on display together.

Brightly coloured countryside scenes, sumptuous Mediterranean views, delicate depictions of everyday life rich with moral meaning, these are just some of the many subjects which inspired artists working during the 17th century in the Netherlands. This exhibition provides a rare opportunity to see the Gallery’s significant collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings on display together, highlighting the importance of renowned masterpieces such as Abraham Bloemaert’s The Prodigal Son and Godfried Schalcken’s Self-Portrait in Candlelight and showcasing lesser known works deserving of greater recognition. Offering a window onto a unique period of artistic development in Europe, the exhibition explores landscape and genre paintings as well as the rich culture of copying that allowed for the widespread collecting of Dutch painting during the 17th century and beyond.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a programme of curator-led talks as well as in-gallery exhibition trails for adults and children - these will be announced soon.