Amsterdam for their own: the city of Rembrandt, Hals and the “little Dutch”

What did Amsterdam look like in the Golden Age? How did the townspeople - craftsmen, merchants, aristocrats live? How did you dress, eat and drink? How did you deal with fires or floods? How was the sewage system built and was it even there? For some reason, this is the issue that worries our guests the most: How did they raise and educate their children? Who finally scares the naughty kids? How did you attract customers and celebrate the holidays? What were the folk festivals and what were the games of that time? How did they grow flowers, how did they get married, and what god did they believe in? And how did all this reflect in the painting that we still admire almost half a millennium later? And the most important question that disturbs minds is what is true in these paintings, and what is impudent fiction?

On this walk, we will make a real miracle together with you: we will resurrect an entire era and practically see with our own eyes the answers to all these and many other questions. We will walk through the oldest streets of the city, get acquainted with their inhabitants and understand how everything was arranged there. We will find out why the ambassadors of France, England and other countries so admired the special atmosphere of Amsterdam and spoke of its “greatness”. Let’s talk about the most successful advertising campaign in history, the effect of which affects even after four and a half hundred years. And, succumbing to its charm, we will drink a great beer.

Let’s talk about why you need to carefully formulate your desires. And we learn what kind of magical remedy cures both insomnia and fear. Shall we check it out? :. Over coffee with a magnificent apple pie in one of the most cozy places in the city, we will talk about what we ate and drank in the Golden Age. And why modest breakfasts on the canvases of the “little Dutch” were replaced by luxurious “desserts” of Calph. And how the change in diet is connected with the fact that the "new" society ceased to accept the great Rembrandt. Well, how to discuss such things without trying the famous Dutch herring? We'll definitely try. And not just her.

We will visit one of the most picturesque courtyards of Amsterdam, which is associated with terrible legends about the dead rising from nothingness and something worse. Here we will understand the pricing of painting in the Golden Age. And at the same time, let’s talk about why all the artists of that time dreamed of drawing historical and battle canvases, but drew all the watches and boards of trustees. And you know how to find the most greedy in a group portrait of the time?: We will certainly tell you. And we will tell you what background we should look at Vermeer or Hals.

And, of course, in Rembrandt Square, we will talk about the “Night Watch” of the great painter. Let’s try to debunk a variety of conspiracy theories and understand why this painting began the “fall” of the artist. At the same time, we learn what Rembrandt has to do with impressionism and even abstractionism. And, of course, we'll visit the artist's house. Find out where he ended his days and talk about his family.

We will go to many more places and talk about countless things. For example, why did peasants and small shopkeepers buy paintings, why there was no patronage in the Netherlands, where does the ban on the image of the “divine” originate, and what is the greatest adventure in the history of painting associated with this. And finally, we will tell you what you need to pay attention to when visiting the Rijksmuseum. And, we are sure, after the tour, you will easily be able to navigate not only how life was arranged in the Netherlands in the XVII century, but also to maintain a conversation about the Northern Renaissance even with specialists.

Important!

Depending on your interests, the tour can be mainly focused on the story of the Northern Renaissance or on the story of the daily life of the city. We would appreciate it if you inform us in advance of your preferences.

The cost of the tour:
€320 for 1-4 people or €80 per person if you're more.

Duration of the tour:
3 hours (each additional hour of the guide’s work – 100 euros)

The cost of the tour:
€320 for 1-4 people or €80 per person if you're more.

Duration of the tour:
3 hours (each additional hour of the guide’s work – 100 euros)