York Castle Museum

Star Work

Dutch Courage

Dutch painters of the 17th century favoured simple subjects that reflected their everyday lives. They explored themes like daily toil and political events, painting them in fine detail.

These paintings contain lessons in morality to encourage the development of a courageous and humble soul rather than the collection of material wealth.

A selection of our Dutch paintings is on display in the South Gallery's Courage display, the title chosen to reflect the importance of having the moral, civil and physical courage to lead an honest and virtuous life.

Our 2008 writer-in-residence Tracy Chevalier wrote some of the labels in the gallery, reflecting her own interest in Dutch art. She is most famous for her book, Girl with a Pearl Earring, which was inspired by a painting by Johannes Vermeer.