e provinces was negated by the poverty in others, and thus – perhaps even due to the diversity of the revolt – the Dutch culture was one of multiplicity. Humanist philosophy seemed to lie at the heart of the republic and its art and therefore the Dutch merchant would see his civic responsibility as precedent to any economic one, and it is perhaps for this reason that it is only possible to speculate about the true meaning of the golden age as the extent of its diversity makes it a complex historical discussion. What can be concluded about the art is that the ‘lens of moral sensibility’ – in the words of Simon Schama – seemed to influence the gaze of most artists and for this reason, the view of throughout this essay is focusing on the ‘document of beliefs’ within Dutch Art as opposed to the view of more socio-economic historians such as Michael North. It was the moralising heart of the republic which ensured its economic success, its tolerant attitude towards religion, the rise of the bourgeoisie and, paradoxically, the republic’s eventual downfall....
