In the 17th century a new genre of painting—the cityscape—emerged, fostered by the booming economy of the Dutch Republic and its affluent urbanites. Images of towns and cities became expressions of enormous civic pride. This exhibition of some 48 paintings, as well as 22 maps, atlases, illustrated books, and prints, offers a comprehensive survey of the Dutch cityscape, from wide-angle panoramas depicting the urban skyline with its fortifications, windmills, and church steeples, to renderings of daily life along canals, in city streets, and in town squares. Joining Jacob van Ruisdael's celebrated Haarlem with the Bleaching Fields (c. 1670–1675) are works by some 40 Dutch masters. Primarily active in Amsterdam, Delft, and Haarlem, these artists include Gerrit Berckheyde, Aelbert Cuyp, Jan van Goyen, Jan van der Heyden, Pieter de Hooch, Hendrick Vroom, Pieter Saenredam, and Jan Steen.

The exhibition coincides with the 400th anniversary of the Dutch exploration and settlement of the Hudson River Valley.

Organization
Organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, and the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis, The Hague.

Sponsors
This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of Greg and Candy Fazakerley and Eijk and Rose-Marie van Otterloo.

The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

Schedule
Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis, The Hague, October 11, 2008–January 11, 2009; National Gallery of Art, February 1–May 3, 2009

Passes
Passes are not required for this exhibition.

The exhibition will be on view in the National Gallery's West Building, Main Floor