Aegidius Sadeler II - Massacre of the Innocents

The Dutch Golden Age was a period from 1581 to 1672, when the Netherlands experienced the "Dutch Miracle", transcended to the foremost maritime and economic power. In 1568, the Seven Provinces started a rebellion against Philip II of Spain, leading to the Eighty Years' War with Spain and the Thirty Years' War between other European superpowers. Protestants moved from the southern to the northern Netherlands, many settled in Amsterdam, transforming a port town into one of the most important commercial centers in the world by 1630. In addition to the migration of Protestants, there were also influxes of refugees who had previously fled from religious persecution, particularly Sephardi Jews from Portugal and Spain, and Protestants from France. Catholics moved in the other direction - to the southern provinces, modern Belgium. North quickly gained the highest literacy rates in Europe, an abundance of capital, the largest merchant fleet in Europe. The Dutch dominated trade in the Baltic Sea, between China and Japan, and with the English colonies in North America. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) was the first multinational corporation, financed by shares that established the first modern stock exchange. The Bank of Amsterdam, the first central bank, was established in 1609. The Dutch Golden Age is the art period dominanted by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jacob van Ruisdael, and Frans Hals. Some notable artistic styles and trends include Haarlem Mannerism, Utrecht Caravaggism, the School of Delft, the Leiden fijnschilders, and Dutch classicism. 1672 is called a disaster year" when the Dutch Republic was attacked by England, France, Münster, and Bavaria. The invading armies quickly defeated most of the Dutch States Army and conquered part of the Republic.

Tintoretto, also known as Jacopo Comin, was an Italian painter of the Venetian School during the Renaissance. He was born in Venice in 1518 and died in 1594. Tintoretto's style was characterised by his use of dramatic lighting, strong colours and dynamic compositions. He was known for his large-scale paintings, including religious scenes, portraits and mythological subjects. Some of his most famous works include The Last Supper, The Miracle of the Slave and The Paradise. Tintoretto was a prolific artist and his work had a significant influence on the development of Baroque painting. The son of a cloth dyer, Tintoretto was initially trained in his father's trade. However, he soon showed a talent for painting and began to study under the Venetian painter Titian. Tintoretto was also influenced by the works of other Renaissance masters such as Michelangelo and Raphael. Tintoretto's early works were heavily influenced by Titian, but he soon developed his own style. He was known for his ability to capture movement and emotion in his paintings, and for his use of chiaroscuro (the contrast between light and dark) to create dramatic effects. Tintoretto was a prolific artist and his works can be found in museums and galleries around the world. He was also commissioned to paint many works for churches and other religious institutions in Venice, including the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Despite his success, Tintoretto was not always popular with his contemporaries. Known for his independent spirit, he sometimes clashed with other artists and patrons. Nevertheless, his influence on the development of Baroque painting cannot be overestimated and he is considered one of the greatest painters of the Venetian School.