Visitors can take a look behind the doors of Delft’s 17th century burghers; they meet the history makers of Delft and get an impression of the city’s government, justice and security.
Permanent presentation
The Museum Het Prinsenhof manages an extensive collection of 17th century art and handicrafts of Delft. By means of this collection and diverse items on loan from among others the Mauritshuis, the museum tells the story of Delft as a typical Dutch city of the Golden Age.
What is there to see?
With this new presentation the Museum Het Prinsenhof has completed the second part of its renewal. On the ground floor of the former St Agatha Convent, William of Orange is now the centre of attention. Here visitors also meet the other major players of the Eighty Years War. The story ends at the bullet holes and the stairs where Orange was murdered in 1584. On the top floor visitors step into Delft in the Golden Age. On display are top pieces of Delft Blue and Delft earthenware, paintings by contemporaries of Vermeer, silver objects and other Delft handicrafts. 17th century civic guards and regents look out from the walls upon the showpieces on display while famous Delft personalities of the Golden Age tell their story.
The Golden Age
The Dutch Republic is formed four years after the 1584 murder of William of Orange. In the turbulent years that follow the Republic slowly manages to shake off the Spanish yoke. The Golden Age begins. At the start of the 17th century, Delft with a population of 20,000 is one of a group of larger and more prominent Dutch cities. The beer-brewing industry is doing well, as is the cloth trade. Earthenware manufacture sees phenomenal growth and Delft’s silversmiths are easily equal to those of Amsterdam. Developing alongside all this is the art of painting. It is in this environment that Vermeer gains his inspiration. As a master at the St Lucas Guild of Delft he is in the company of such skilled painters as Michiel van Mierevelt, Emanuel de Witte, Leonart Bramer or Cornelis de Man. These artists are not only famous within the Republic but also have an international reputation.
Delft’s wealthy burghers
A new group of regents became influential within the city administrations of the Republic. Wealthy families forming the Delft elite monopolise the city’s administrative and civil functions. They are proud of their social position and like to show off by for example commissioning painters to paint their portraits. The portraits often feature a whole family wearing expensive clothing and posing in the middle of their luxurious interiors. Doctors and surgeons commission group portraits at “anatomical lessons”. The civic guards of Delft, united in four companies also like to immortalize themselves on canvas. Promotion to an officer’s rank was considered a special honour. The citizens of 17th century Delft hardly have far to look for interior decorations. Adriaan de Grebber, one of the most famous Dutch silversmiths has splendid silverware is for sale. Delft has the best carpet weavers and Delft earthenware for household use or as decoration is almost indistinguishable from the Chinese original. Those preferring the “exotic” above the Dutch merchandise can immerse themselves in “rarities” imported by the Dutch East India Company, which had a Chamber (section) in Delft since its inception in 1602. These were favourable times to begin a collection.
Pioneering discoveries
The inquisitiveness of burghers about the world and the universe often motivates them to build up collections. Between 1600 and 1750 Delft had thirty-eight collectors of art and rarities. Doctors and chemists begin collections in the interests of scientific progress. Their curiosity leads to revolutionary discoveries like the existence of bacteria first revealed by Delft’s Anthony van Leeuwenhoek. Another famous Delft medical practitioner and collector is Cornelis 's Gravesande.
Hugo Grotius, jurist of international acclaim
In 1604 Hugo Grotius, born in Delft in 1583 to a regent’s family, is appointed Historian of the Dutch Republic. In 1610 he wrote his “De Antiquitate Reipublicae Batavicae” (concerning the age of the Batavian Republic) asserting that the Netherlands has never subordinated itself to rule by royalty. His discourse was a legitimisation of the republican form of government. During the Twelve Year Truce (1609-1621) Hugo becomes entangled in religious and political frictions due to his support for Van Oldenbarnevelt, Advocate of Holland. Stadholder Maurits settles this conflict to his own advantage by executing Oldenbarnevelt and imprisoning Grotius in Loevestein Castle. On 22 March 1621 Hugo escapes in a book trunk. Grotius enjoys an international reputation as jurist, especially for his studies concerning the right of free passage on the sea, rights concerning war and peace and of captured property. He is soon called the ‘’Oracle of Delft’’. Grotius then stays for a long period at the French Court, including ten years as ambassador of the king of Sweden. Following his death in 1645 he is buried in the family grave at the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) in Delft.
