During the seventeenth century Dutch influence on the Baltic
region, both economic and aesthetic, was unrivaled. In the wake of
the Dutch monopoly on Baltic trade, cultural contacts between the
Dutch Republic and the Baltic world flourished. The Dutch Republic
was even to fulfil an exemplary function in the Baltic world
(particularly in the Swedish Empire, the dominating power in the
region), not solely limited to the commerce of commodities but
extending to the domain of architecture and art as well.
In this intensive cultural traffic, an important role was set
aside for Dutch immigrants, architects, artists, and their agents.
Apart from their regular activities as diplomats or news
correspondents, agents mediated in cultural affairs for patrons in
the North. As such, they occupied a key role in the relations
between the Baltic world and the Dutch Republic. The pivotal
element in these networks, they negotiated between Baltic
commissioners and Dutch architects, artists, and suppliers of
luxury items, including sculptures, tapestries, paintings, as well
as a wide range of books and prints - all of which were available
on the Amsterdam market. These extensive networks mark the Dutch
Republic as a major centre of architecture, art, and information,
crucial to the cultural development of northern Europe.
The history of this lively trade in good taste is told on the
basis of rich archival material, including drawings, book and art
collection inventories, correspondence, travel journals, and
diaries.
Badeloch Noldus is a Senior Researcher at Frederiksborg
Castle, the Danish Museum of National History. Her interests cover
art, agency and art trade in early modern Northern Europe. Recent
publications include Your Humble Servant. Agents in Early Modern
Europe (2006).
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