Architecture
The first significant period of Dutch architecture was during the Dutch Golden Age. Due to the thriving economy cities expanded greatly. New town halls, weighhouses and storehouses were built. Merchants that had gained a fortune ordered a new house built along one of the many new canals that were dug out in and around many cities (for defense and transport purposes), a house with an ornamented façade that befitted their new status. In the countryside new country houses were built, though not in large numbers.
During the 20th century Dutch architects played a leading role in the development of modern architecture. Out of the early 20th century rationalist architecture of Berlage, architect of the Amsterdam Beurs, three separate groups developed during the 1920's, each with their own view on the direction modern architecture should take. Expressionist architects like M. de Klerk and P.J. Kramer in Amsterdam (also known as the Amsterdam School). Functionalist architects (Nieuwe Zakelijkheid or Nieuwe Bouwen) like Mart Stam (Housing in Stuttgart), L.C. van der Vlugt (Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam) and Johannes Duiker (Zonnestraal in Hilversum and Open Air School in Amsterdam) connected with the international modernist group CIAM. A third group came out of De Stijl, J.J.P Oud and Gerrit Rietveld among them, both architects later built in a functionalist style.
During the 50's and 60's a new generation of architects like Aldo van Eyck (Burgerweeshuis in Amsterdam), J.B. Bakema and Herman Hertzberger, known as the 'Forum generation' (named after the magazine Forum) connected with international groups like Team 10.
From the 80's to the present Rem Koolhaas and his Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) became one of the leading world architects. In his wake architects and offices like MVRDV, Mecanoo, Erick van Egeraat (EEA) and Neutelings Riedijk formed a new generation (the third) of Dutch architects working in a modernist tradition.
Art
Until the religious wars of the late 16th century, Dutch and Flemish art are hard to separate. Most artists of the period (like Breugel) are described a Flemish, even though their place of birth is often unknown or disputed. Some of the most famous truly Dutch artists from before the seventeenth century are Hieronymus Bosch, a painter and the brothers de Limbourg, three miniaturists who are most famous for their work for the Duke of Berry.
In the seventeenth century, many painters flee Flanders, for religious reasons and because the Netherlands are growing economically. Both regions have a golden age of painting in this period. The most famous Dutch master is Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, but other painters such as Johannes Vermeer or Frans Hals are nowadays world famous as well.
In the 18th and 19th century, the Dutch artists are less well known. The most important paintings are the land- and seascapes (or marines). Only at the end of the 19th century appears a new internationally important painter with Vincent Van Gogh.
In the 20th century have the Netherlands produced many fine painters and artists, including Piet Mondriaan and some of the members of the COBRA movement, including Karel Appel.
The Dutch have a distinct comics tradition as well. Heavy readers of Flemish comics (Spike and Suzy), Franco-Belgian comics, and American kids comics from Disney, they also achieved their own tradition, with a more literary kind of comics. The most prominent author was Marten Toonder and his creation Tom Puss.
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