Asia in Amsterdam: The Culture of Luxury in the Golden Age (Softcover)

Lavishly illustrated Asia in Amsterdam discusses the Asian luxury goods imported into the Netherlands during the 17th century and demonstrates the overwhelming impact these works of art had on Dutch life and art during the Golden Age. Written by a team of 30 international scholars, this volume presents seven essays and catalog entries on 150 works of art, including Dutch and Asian paintings, textiles, ceramics, lacquer, furniture, silver, diamonds, and jewelry. From the Dutch settlements throughout Asia—including Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, China, and Japan—Dutch maritime traders brought an astonishing range of luxuries back to the Netherlands. Dutch consumers were enthralled with these foreign goods, which brought new colors, patterns, and textures to their interiors and wardrobes. This catalogue weaves together the complex stories of these diverse works of art and presents fascinating portraits of the dynamic cities of Amsterdam and Batavia (Jakarta)—the Dutch trade center in Asia during the 17th century.

The publication accompanies the exhibition Asia in Amsterdam: The Culture of Luxury in the Golden Age on view at the Rijksmuseum from October 17, 2015, through January 17, 2016, and the Peabody Essex Museum from February 27 through June 5, 2016.

Karina H. Corrigan is the H.A. Crosby Forbes Curator of Asian Export Art at the Peabody Essex Museum.  Jan van Campen is Curator of Asian Export Art at the Rijksmuseum. Femke Diercks is Curator of European Ceramics at the Rijksmuseum. Janet C. Blyberg is Assistant Curator for Exhibitions and Research at the Peabody Essex Museum.