Nobody's Perfect
Throughout history, the Netherlands has played a considerable role in the making of modern society. Inspired by southern Europe, the Netherlands pioneered the Northern Renaissance, revolutionizing art, music, and politics. Productions from that time largely shaped the way we think about our world today. Pieter Brueghel the Elder, for example, broke with tradition when he started painting peasants instead of kings and queens. Often referred to as “one of the great prophets of civilization,” Rembrandt contributed to the development of the chiaroscuro technique, using the contrasts of light to depict intense and lively scenes. His unique style and mastery inspired generations of painters like Goya and Rodin. The Dutch also gave us Vincent Van Gogh and his new artistic movement: post-impressionism. Unsuccessful during his lifetime, Van Gogh is now revered throughout the world. In Amsterdam specifically, an entire museum that I had the chance to visit last weekend is dedicated to his work.
In the 17th Century, the Dutch also started thinking about an autonomous science of international law, setting a new agenda in political philosophy across the world. Moreover, Erasmus’s open criticism of religion led the way to a more tolerant Europe. After the Treaty of Westphalia, the Netherlands was renowned for its religious tolerance, becoming a refuge for the persecuted across the old continent. In fact, Dutch ideas of religious liberty and freedom of the press influenced the fundamental principles of the American Constitution.
But alas, nobody’s perfect. The one thing that the Dutch cannot seem to get good at is gastronomy. The Hague has a vast expat community, and the complaint I hear most often is that food in the Netherlands leaves a lot to be desired. As my boss explained during lunch on the first day, the Dutch see food as fueling up a car—it’s necessary to function, so they eat. But if they could go on without it, they would. Granted, the Netherlands is ranked as the healthiest country in the world for diet. But what the Dutch would tell you is a simple and fresh cuisine is, in fact, just extremely bland and unsavory. This might sound like propaganda, but France is ranked as the second healthiest country in the world for diet, and (apologies to my Dutch friends) our food is simply better. I would take a slightly less healthy diet over “bitterballens” any day. In fact, as a Frenchwoman, I should probably not be admitting this, but Dutch food is making me crave a good old American burger by the day.
