Absolutism in Europe

Absolutism ruler has complete authority over gov’t and lives of people causes: - decline of feudalism - church authority breaking [Protestant Ref.] - support of middle class

Characteristics divine right claims - king chosen by God attempts to control ALL in realm - religion, gov’t, social interaction control over all finances - decides how to spend $ - taxes, tariffs, colonies massive bureaucracies - citizens in gov’t positions [paid by state] standing [full time] armies - benefits vs. burdens

Absolutism in Spain

Spanish Empire – Philip II inherited Spain, Portugal, Spanish Netherlands, American colonies mercantilism  colony exists to make mother country wealthy [free Native American labor] 1550-1650 Am colonies sent: - 339,000 lbs of gold - 1 oz. of gold today = $1,201.20 - 16,000 tons of silver - 1 oz. of silver today = $17.22

Philip’s palace, Escorial

Golden Age of Spanish Art and Lit El Greco and Velázquez El Greco unusual style to convey religious themes Velázquez show Spanish court life Don Quixote 1605, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes is published Novel marks the birth of the modern European novel

“Portrait of an Old Man” This painting titled “Portrait of an Old Man” is considered a self portrait by El Greco, circa 1595–1600, oil on canvas.

The Assumption of the Virgin (1577–1579, oil on canvas, 401 × 228 cm, Art Institute of Chicago) was one of the nine paintings El Greco completed for the church of Santo Domingo el Antiguo in Toledo, his first commission in Spain. This shows the religious themes of his painting.

Diego Velázquez: two self portraits

Portrait of Pablo de Valladolid A court fool or jester, circa 1635

The Spanish Empire Weakens inflation due to increase in gold and silver taxes on lower class  no middle class buying goods from enemies Philip declares bankruptcy three times Dutch Revolt - Protestants in the Netherlands win independence from Spain in 1579 defeat of Spanish Armada [133 ship navy] by English in 1588 - 15,000 sailors die - 65ish ships destroyed

The Dutch Prosper political model Protestant  work ethic = thrift and frugality - degree of religious toleration stable, thriving economy  low inflation masters of the “carrying trade” - Dutch East and West India Company - sell stock, share profit = corporation “Golden Age” of artists [Rembrandt and Vermeer] - religion and everyday life themes

17c Dutch Global Commerce

Dutch East India Company, 1602

The Dutch in Japan, 18c

Dutch Ship in Nagasaki Late 18c

Dutch East India Ship, mid-17c

Dutch West India Company, 1621 Netherland Antilles

18c Delftware Tobacco Jars

Fort Orange (Albany, NY) in New Netherlands

New Amsterdam (NYC) Settled in 1624. Official Flag of the NYC Seal of the City of NY.

Early 20c Dutch Revival Building in NYC. New Amsterdam (NYC) Early 20c Dutch Revival Building in NYC.

Anatomy Lecture of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp – Rembrandt, 1632

Oude Kerk [Old Church], Amsterdam First built in 1300.

Interior of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam - Emmanuel De Witt

Catholic “Hidden” Church in the Attic, Amsterdam, 1630s

Patrician Houses Along the Canal in Leiden

Upper-class Homes, Amsterdam Early 1600s

The Night Watch – Rembrandt, 1642

Portrait of an Old Jewish Man Rembrandt, 1654

Sampling Officials of the Drapers Guild – Rembrandt - 1662

Girl with a Pearl Earring Jan Vermeer, 1665

A Young Woman with a Water Jug - Jan Vermeer, 1662

The Lace Maker Jan Vermeer, 1669-1670

A Woman Holding a Balance Jan Vermeer, 1662

View of Delft Jan Vermeer, 1660-1661

The Astronomer Jan Vermeer, 1668

The Geographer Jan Vermeer, 1668-1669

Girl Reading a Letter with the Window Open - Jan Vermeer, 1657

The Music Lesson Jan Vermeer, 1662-1665