The Great Theatre of Dutch Painters, published between 1718 and 1721, remains the primary historical reference for the Dutch Golden Age of painting. Authored by Arnold Houbraken, this comprehensive biographical compilation solidified his standing as a central figure in 18th-century art history, bridging the gap between the era of the masters and modern critical analysis.
Early Training and Education
Born in Dordrecht in 1660, Houbraken began his technical training under Johannes de Haan, where he learned threadtwisting and the fundamentals of engraving. His formal artistic education included two years with Willem van Drielenburch, nine months with Jacobus Leveck, and a four-year apprenticeship under Samuel van Hoogstraten. This period provided the technical foundation for his subsequent work as a painter, illustrator, and copper engraver.
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Throughout his career in Dordrecht and later in Amsterdam, Houbraken produced a diverse body of visual work, including mythological and religious paintings, portraits, and landscapes. His specific notable paintings include Romulus and Remus discovered by the Herdsman Faustulus, The Sacrifice of Iphigenia, and The Painter and his Model. Beyond painting, he engaged in theoretical guidance for artists, most notably through his emblem book Inhoud van 't Sieraad der Afbeelding, which functioned as a manual for selecting appropriate artistic themes.
Historical Significance and Legacy
Houbraken's reputation largely rests on his biographical project, The Great Theatre of Dutch Painters. His son, Jacob, assisted in preparing the final manuscript proofs following his death in 1719. The work proved commercially successful throughout the 18th century and served as a standard reference, despite 19th-century criticisms regarding his judgments and source accuracy. Modern scholars often defend his work against charges of nationalism, noting that his definitions of regional boundaries reflected the political realities of his time rather than later conventions. Today, his engravings provide the only surviving portraits for many artists of the period, and his writings remain part of the Basic Library of the Digital Library of Dutch Literature.
Fast facts
- Born: 1660, Dordrecht
- Died: 1719, Amsterdam
- Citizenship: Dutch Republic
- Notable work: The Great Theatre of Dutch Painters
- Known pupils: Matthijs Balen, Johan Graham, Jacob Houbraken
- Movement: Dutch Golden Age painting
- Family: Married Sara Sasbout, father of ten children
Questions readers ask
What was the main purpose of The Great Theatre of Dutch Painters?
It served as a comprehensive biography of Dutch Golden Age painters, providing both historical records and portraits of artists.
Did Houbraken have children who followed his career path?
Yes, his son Jacobus and daughter Antonina became engravers, while his daughter Christina was also an artist.
Achievements
- Notable work: Romulus and Remus discovered by the Herdsman Faustulus
- Notable work: Sacrifice of Iphigenia
- Notable work: The Painter and his Model
- Notable work: The Great Theatre of Dutch Painters
- Movement: Dutch Golden Age painting
