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For the Netherlands and Flanders, the 17th century was an era of profound upheaval. Scientific discoveries and the expansion of global trade shaped a society that increasingly saw itself as the master of nature. Yet nature remained an unpredictable, often sublime force–a duality that was also reflected in the art of the period.

The selection of paintings in Nature: Threat and Treasure not only testify to nature’s beauty but also explore humanity’s desire to exploit and reshape the natural world.