We are deeply grateful to our friend and fellow blogger Perkamentus for the following Guest Editorial....
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"The character of the Dutch is identical with that of the English and Americans. The Dutchman loves sport, commerce, a fair fight, and a glass of something good. He is a homely, domestic creature, devoted to his wife and children. Abroad the idea is prevalent that the Dutch are 'queer people;' this is not the case; the Dutch are people to be respected and honoured for a glorious past, a glorious present, and a glorious future”.
These words are from the American S.S. Abrahamson, correspondent of the New York Herald, who over a century ago published the little book Holland and our friends the Dutch by one living amongst them (Amsterdam, 1910):
Abrahamson, who lived in the Netherlands between 1905 and 1910, was neither the first nor the only foreigner to publish a book about Holland, a common synonym for the Netherlands and its inhabitants.
The first such books appeared centuries before Abrahamson . One of the most famous is probably Lodovico Guicciardini's Descrittione di tutti i Paesi Bassi altrimenti detti Germania inferiore (Antwerp, 1567). Too expensive for most modern book collectors, this beautifully illustrated book was printed several different times in several different languages:
Another example was penned by Jean Nicolas de Parival. Born in France, but living in the Dutch city of Leiden since 1624, he wrote Les Delices de la Hollande, Oeuvre Panegirique, avec un traité du Gouvernement, et un abregé de ce qui s'est passé de plus memorable jusques à l'an de grace (Leiden, 1650). The image is via Antiquariaat FORUM B.V.:
What these and most other pre-19th century books have in common is that they are mainly about topography, towns, royal families and local government.
This changed in the 19th century. The mobility of the general populace increased with advances in rail and steamship travel. The first edition of the Holland tourist guide by the famous Karl Baedeker appeared in 1839:
Baedekers are now collectibles themselves. In addition to these handy little travel guides--packed with detailed information about hotels and restaurants, transport and departure times, topographic maps, tips and attractions--beautifully illustrated books appeared, meant not only for those who stayed at home, but also for those who were preparing for a trip to the Netherlands.
Many of these late 19th and early 20th century travel books can still be easily found and most, a few exceptions notwithstanding, are quite affordable. A typical example is Edmondo de Amicis' Ollanda (Firenze, 1876):
As seen above (image via OpenLibrary), Ollanda was published in many languages and several editions-- first with wood engravings, later with pictures. The most charming thing about this book, and the similar books by "foreigners" which followed, is the keen interest expressed by each author in the Dutch people: their morals, their typical habits, etc.
This increasing human interest also is notable in the illustrations of large-sized picture books about Holland, like Friedrich von Hellwald and Richard Oberlander's Nordland-Fahrten. Vierte Abteilung. Malerische Schone durch Holland und Dänemark. Land und Leute, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung von Sage und Geschichte, Literatur und Kunst (Leipzig, ca. 1882), and Richard Lovett's Pictures from Holland, drawn with pen and pencil (London, 1887):
Most of the fine wood engravings show village and street scenes and images from common people...
...in their different local and traditional costumes:
Canals, dikes, polders and buildings are not forgotten, but there is a prominent interest in typical Dutch traditions like ice skating...
...Dutch cheese markets and flower fields (the modern Keukenhof is one of the Netherlands most popular tourist attractions).
Even topics that were atypical for tourism books--pile driving...
...and "Dutch cleanliness," for example--have been discussed and illustrated in the above and similar books:
But are all these things in fact typically ... Dutch?
In 2007 the Netherlands' Scientific Council for Government Policy published a report, Identification with the Netherlands. The report is an investigation into "Dutch identity."
During its official presentation Princess Máxima of the Netherlands had this to say:
A typical Dutch identity? I have not found one.
The Netherlands are: large Windows without curtains, so anyone can look into your home. But also: attachment to privacy and coziness. The Netherlands are: one biscuit with a cup of tea. But also: great hospitality and warmth. The Netherlands: sobriety and control. Pragmatism. But also: together experiencing intense emotions.
This speech incited fierce debate, but--not surprisingly--things soon calmed down. No doubt because Dutch fondness for its Royal Family, especially Maxima, is also typically ... Dutch!
[N.B.: Unless otherwise noted, all images are courtesy of Perkamentus.]
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