How did people really live in the time of Vermeer and Jan Steen? This question is answered in the exhibition At home in the 17th century in autumn at the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. In this online lecture, we will dive into this exhibition and look at life in the Golden Age with new eyes and art historical perspective.

Lecturer Barry Heinrichs shows that paintings by Vermeer, De Hooch, Metsu, Dou and Van Mieris tell more than you think. At first glance, these depictions of everyday life seem vacuous, 'nothing to it' pictures of rooms in houses where you can casually cast a curious eye inside. But 'nothing going on', is only appearances, it will turn out. On closer inspection, the silent interiors are full of stories. About morality, identity, status and the household of the time. Of course, Jan Steen's chaotic household is not missing either!

We will also discuss the famous dolls' houses by Petronella Oortman, Petronella Dunois and Petronella de la Court. These miniature houses are not toys. They are works of art full of details: micro-worlds. We discover how they give insight into the life and ideals of the 17th century. Petronella Oortman's doll's house is one of the Rijksmuseum's masterpieces. It has been restored especially for the exhibition and can now be viewed fully digitally for the first time.

After completing this lecture, you will be perfectly prepared to visit the exhibition At home in the 17th century and know all about daily life in the Golden Age! So sign up and immerse yourself in the household details of 17th-century interiors.

How does that work online?

You follow this lecture online from your own computer or tablet. All you need is a good internet connection and sound. Lecturer and images will automatically appear on your screen. If you cannot attend 'live', you can watch the lecture at another time look back. Registration is therefore still possible after the lecture.