The Rembrandt CenturyHow Art Became Big Business

In the 17th century, the Netherlands experienced an unprecedented artistic explosion. Never before had painters been so prolific, managing to make a living from their talent alone. Painters such as Rembrandt Van Rijn, Jan Vermeer and Frans Hals worked furiously, and Dutch society went along with them: against the background of the accumulation of wealth from the colonies and financial speculation, collecting works of art and paintings became a status symbol for almost all social classes. Documentary on the Dutch Golden Age (1584-1702), which saw the emergence of Rembrandt's artistic genius, among others.