A History of Modern Europe - From the Renaissance to the Present

The Decline of the Dutch Republic 239

A peasant family pausing to pray before mealtime.

lies at work, at play, or eating were particularly popular. Jan Steen (1626­
1679) portrayed boisterous revelers of different means. Still lifes of platters
of food became staples for Dutch artists, with titles such as Still Life with
Herring and Jug Still Life with Lobster The banquet became a favorite sub­
ject, with all of its accoutrements, such as oak table and chairs, iron cooking
pans, elegant plates and drinking vessels, and its rituals, such as the prayer,
the careful carving of the meat, and rounds of toasts.
The relationship between parents and children emerged as another famil­
iar domestic theme. The Dutch painters also frequently portrayed servants,
furniture and other household goods, and domestic pets. However, women
on Dutch canvases appear more equal to men than they were in reality.

The Decline of the Dutch Republic

The relative decline of Dutch power is perhaps not surprising, given the

greater economic resources and populations of France and England. England