Dutch Portraits at the National Gallery

London’s National Gallery has a major new exhibition opening this week called Dutch Portraits:The Age of Rembrandt and Frank Hals featuring portraits painted during Holland’s ‘Golden Age’ in the 17th century after the Dutch got their independence from Spain.

After independence the Dutch become successful and wealthy and having portraits painted was an expression of this new wealth with artists coming up with new styles to meet the requirements of a more demanding clientele.

Dutch Portraits features 60 paintings produced between 1600-1680 and is organised jointly with the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis in The Hague. It runs from 27 June-16 September 2007 and is open daily from 10am-6pm (Wed 9pm). Admission to most of the National Gallery is free but for this special exhibition there’s a ticket costing £10. The National Gallery is the large building at the top of the steps on the north side of Trafalgar Square.