I was born in Den Bosch, where the painter Hieronymus Bosch named himself after. And so I've always been very fond of this painter who lived and worked in the 15th century.
I've had the good fortune of studying the 17th-century art of Amsterdam in preparation for a film.
The Netherlands were no more than the alluvium formed by the principle rivers of my empire.
In Holland, everyone is an expert in painting and in tulips.
I started rereading 'The Dutchman' - I kind of just pulled it off the shelf.
Whenever I see a Frans Hals, I feel the desire to paint; but when I see a Rembrandt, I want to give it up.
In Amsterdam, the river and canals have been central to city life for the last four centuries.
I would have liked to be - indeed, I should have been - a second Rembrandt.
I don't think there's an illustrator who's as good as a Titian or a Rembrandt... but then, Rembrandt was a bit of an illustrator on the quiet, you know?
The rise of the Dutch Republic must ever be regarded as one of the leading events of modern times.
I'd sleep under a Vermeer.
The residence of the Plymouth settlers in the Netherlands, and the later conquest of the Dutch colonies, had brought the Americans into contact with the singularly wise and free institutions of the Dutch.
Thus the liberties of Holland and Flanders waxed, daily, stronger.
The history of the Franks becomes, therefore, the history of the Netherlands.
Despite all the efforts of art dealers, the number of Rembrandts existing at a given time is limited; yet such paintings are commonly disposed of by auction.
Thus again the Netherlands, for the first time since the fall of Rome, were united under one crown imperial. They had already been once united, in their slavery to Rome.
Embosom'd in the deep where Holland lies. Methinks her patient sons before me stand, Where the broad ocean leans against the land.
