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Department of History of Art and Architecture

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HAU33004/HAU33019: The Age of Rembrandt and Vermeer

The module will examine some of the wealth of artistic production in the Netherlands in the seventeenth century. The module will be based around the study of Rembrandt and Vermeer as contrasting and complementary figures who represent some of the diverse tendencies of the time. This will entail the study of the development of individual styles and subject matter ranging from history painting to portraiture, landscape and genre painting. The distinct artistic character associated with centres of production, even ones that were geographically close, will be assessed with an emphasis on Amsterdam, Delft and Utrecht. The module will also look at the posthumous reputations of Rembrandt and Vermeer, examining questions of attribution, authenticity, canonicity and rediscovery. So far as is possible the module will use examples now in the National Gallery of Ireland or formerly in Irish collections.
  • Module Organiser:
    • Dr Philip McEvansoneya
  • Duration:
    • Semester 2
  • Contact Hours:
    • HAU33019: 1 lecture per week, 1 seminar per fortnight
    • HAU33004: 2 lectures per week, 1 seminar per fortnight
  • Weighting:
    • HAU33019: 5 ECTS
    • HAU33004: 10 ECTS
  • Assessment:
    • HAU33019 Essay and visual analysis
    • HAU33004 Essay and visual analysis & Project
  • Course open to:
    [M=mandatory; O= optional]
    • Single Honors (O), Joint Honors (O), AMHC (O), Art History as a minor (O), visiting (O);

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module students should be able:

  • to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of seventeenth-century Dutch art, and the work of Rembrandt and Vermeer in particular, in its historical and cultural context
  • to present, both orally and in writing, confident and accurate analysis of seventeenth-century Dutch art
  • to engage in discussion inter-relating the artists, works of art, concepts, events, influences, and texts studied on the course
  • to carry out observantly the visual analysis of works of art using the appropriate vocabulary and demonstrating the skills of interpretation and contextualization.