Literature
The most famous Dutch men of letters of the 17th century were
- Joost van der Vondel (1587-1679), poet and playwright, who wrote more than 30 plays, many of those based on biblical stories. After The Gijsbrecht (see above) his best known drama is Lucifer (1654). He translated many French, Italian, Latin and Greek works. A recurring theme is man's inner conflicts, on the one hand rebellious, on the other hand pledging obedience to God.
- Gerbrand Adriaenszoon Bredero (1585-1618), poet (sonnets) and dramatist (comedies), his most famous comedy, De Spaanse Brabander (English: The Spanish Brabanter), describes the seamy side of life in Amsterdam
- Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft (1581-1647), historian, poet and dramatist, who wrote Nederlandsche Historiën (English: Dutch History), which was never completed, but highly valued. His poetry was of high standard as well. He introduced French and Italian lyricism into Dutch poetry.
- Jacob Cats (1577-1660), poet, famous for his moralistic writings. Houwelijck and Trouringh (English:Marriage and Wedding ring) are two major volumes to educate the Dutch about these serious affairs. Indeed his all too serious tone, lacking humour and esprit, made him a lesser writer than the three named above, and sometimes the object of mockery. His Kinderen zijn hinderen (English: Children are a nuisance) is still a Dutch saying, often followed by the remark that Cats probably had forgotten that he had been a child himself.
Less famous literary men from this period were
- Karel van Mander (1548-1606), who wrote the Schilderboeck, a book about painting, and also several biografies about painters
- Justus de Harduyn (1582-1636), poet from the southern Low Countries
- Jacob Revius (1586-1658), poet but worked also on the new bible translation known as the Statenbijbel that appeared in 1637 and is still in use today in some protestant circles
- Thomas Asseleyn (1620-1701), writer of comedies
- Willem Godschalk van Focquenbroch (1630-1674), poet and playwright
- Jan Luyken (1649-1712)
Sculpture
Dutch sculpturists of the 17th century were
- Hendrick de Keyser (1565-1621). De Keyser was also an architect (see above). He created the Mausoleum for William of Orange in the Nieuwe Kerk (English: New Church) in Delft (1614). All ruling descendants of Willem of Orange and their kin have been interred here to this date. De Keyser also created the statue of Erasmus in Rotterdam (1618)
- Artus Quellinus de Oude (1609-1668), Artus Quellinues de Jonge (his nephew) (1625-1700) and Rombout Verhulst (1625-1696), all sculpturists from the southern Low Countries, were most prominent among the sculpturists that decorated the townhall, now known as Dam Palace (1648-1655).
Music
The most famous Dutch composers of the 17th century were
- Jan P. Sweelinck (1562-1621) composer and organ player, major force in the development of 17th century organ music
- Constantijn Huygens (1596-1687) more famous as a poet, member of the famous chamber of rhetoric De Muiderkring, composed some 800 pieces, most of which got lost, promoted use of the organ during church services
Less famous composers/musicians from this period were
- Gerbrand Adriaenszoon Bredero, song writer
- Adrianus Valerius (1570-1625), song writer
- Jan Jacob van Eyck (1590-1657), composer
- Cornelis Schuyt (1557-1616), composer
- Joan Albert Ban (1597-1644), composer
- Cornelis Padrué (1592-1670), composer
- Joan Schenk (1656-1612+), composer
- Karel Hacquart (ca 1640-ca 1730), composer
- François (1609-1667) and Pierre (1619-1680) Hemony (brothers) were famous carillon builders
Exploration
Politics
Military
Note
Many Dutchmen from this period had a middle name ending on szoon, which means son of. It is also commonly written as sz., for instance Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn.