Part 21 (1/2)

Genre painting In the seventeenth century the term ”genre painting” applied to everything from animal paintings and still lifes through to historical works and landscapes. In the eighteenth century, the term came to be applied only to scenes of everyday life. In the seventeenth century the term ”genre painting” applied to everything from animal paintings and still lifes through to historical works and landscapes. In the eighteenth century, the term came to be applied only to scenes of everyday life.

Gothic Architectural style of the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries, characterized by pointed arches, rib vaulting, flying b.u.t.tresses and a general emphasis on verticality. Architectural style of the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries, characterized by pointed arches, rib vaulting, flying b.u.t.tresses and a general emphasis on verticality.

Grisaille A technique of monochrome painting in shades of grey. A technique of monochrome painting in shades of grey.

Misericord Ledge on a choir stall on which the occupant can be supported while standing; often carved with secular subjects (bottoms were not thought worthy of religious subject matter). Ledge on a choir stall on which the occupant can be supported while standing; often carved with secular subjects (bottoms were not thought worthy of religious subject matter).

Nave Main body of a church. Main body of a church.

Neocla.s.sical A style of cla.s.sical architecture evived in the nineteenth century, popular in the Low Countries during and after the Napoleonic occupation. A style of cla.s.sical architecture evived in the nineteenth century, popular in the Low Countries during and after the Napoleonic occupation.

Neo-Gothic Revived Gothic style of architecture popular between the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Revived Gothic style of architecture popular between the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Pediment Feature of a gable, usually triangular and often sporting a relief. Feature of a gable, usually triangular and often sporting a relief.

Pilaster A shallow rectangular column projecting, but only slightly, from a wall. A shallow rectangular column projecting, but only slightly, from a wall.

Renaissance The period of European history marking the end of the medieval period and the rise of the modern world. Defined, among many criteria, by an increase in cla.s.sical scholars.h.i.+p, geographical discovery, the rise of secular values and the growth of individualism. Began in Italy in the fourteenth century. Also refers to the art and architecture of the period. The period of European history marking the end of the medieval period and the rise of the modern world. Defined, among many criteria, by an increase in cla.s.sical scholars.h.i.+p, geographical discovery, the rise of secular values and the growth of individualism. Began in Italy in the fourteenth century. Also refers to the art and architecture of the period.

Rococo Highly florid, light and intricate eighteenth-century style of architecture, painting and interior design, forming the last phase of Baroque. Highly florid, light and intricate eighteenth-century style of architecture, painting and interior design, forming the last phase of Baroque.

Romanesque Early medieval architecture distinguished by squat, heavy forms, rounded arches and naive sculpture. Early medieval architecture distinguished by squat, heavy forms, rounded arches and naive sculpture.

Rood screen Decorative screen separating the nave from the chancel. A rood loft is the gallery (or s.p.a.ce) on top of it. Decorative screen separating the nave from the chancel. A rood loft is the gallery (or s.p.a.ce) on top of it.

Stucco Marble-based plaster used to embellish ceilings, etc. Marble-based plaster used to embellish ceilings, etc.

Transept Arms of a cross-shaped church, placed at ninety degrees to nave and chancel. Arms of a cross-shaped church, placed at ninety degrees to nave and chancel.

Triptych Carved or painted work on three panels. Often used as an altarpiece. Carved or painted work on three panels. Often used as an altarpiece.

Tympanum Sculpted, usually recessed, panel above a door. Sculpted, usually recessed, panel above a door.

Vault Arched ceiling or roof. Arched ceiling or roof.

More on Amsterdam Amsterdam on the water Architecture in Amsterdam

Amsterdam on the water If Amsterdammers hadn't had the ingenuity to build their city on marsh and reclaimed land, sitting their buildings on wooden piles sunk into the sand, then the city wouldn't exist at all. Like the surrounding countryside, it is made out of and defined by water, and its buildings complement their watery surroundings everywhere you look, whether it's in the cla.s.sic ca.n.a.l vistas of the seventeenth-century city or the contemporary developments in the former docks and the outskirts of the city centre.

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Here are ten things you can see or do to make the most of Amsterdam's unique watery environment: Amsterdam on the water

Ca.n.a.l boat tours What the h.e.l.l, there are worse ways of spending your time than taking on the gla.s.s-topped tourist boats tourist boats that chunter round the city's ca.n.a.ls to cheesy canned commentary you can even take a tour by candlelight. that chunter round the city's ca.n.a.ls to cheesy canned commentary you can even take a tour by candlelight. See ”Water transport”.

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Ca.n.a.l boats Amsterdam on the water

Queen's Day There is no better time to explore the city's ca.n.a.ls than on Queen's Day Queen's Day as it's the one day of the year when everyone takes to the water, on all sorts of craft, complete with pounding sound systems and free-flowing booze. Watch the fun from bridges and intersections or try to grab a place on one of the boats yourself. See ” as it's the one day of the year when everyone takes to the water, on all sorts of craft, complete with pounding sound systems and free-flowing booze. Watch the fun from bridges and intersections or try to grab a place on one of the boats yourself. See ”Opening hours and public holidays”.

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Queen's Day celebrations on the water Amsterdam on the water

Blijburg Right out on the eastern end of the city at IJburg, ”Blijburg aan Zee” is the ultimate urban beach, a slim crescent of sand that's home to a buzzy summer vibe with bands and DJs, plus a bar and beach cafe which serves organic food. Take tram #26 to the end of the line. See ”The Old Jewish Quarter and Eastern docklands”.

Amsterdam on the water

Zeeburg The old squatter areas of the eastern docklands eastern docklands are home to some of the city's most audacious architecture and, increasingly, some of its greatest nightlife. You can get here by ferry on Sundays, at two-hourly intervals from behind Centraal Station it takes half an hour to KNSM island. See ” are home to some of the city's most audacious architecture and, increasingly, some of its greatest nightlife. You can get here by ferry on Sundays, at two-hourly intervals from behind Centraal Station it takes half an hour to KNSM island. See ”Java and KNSM islands”.

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Zeeburg Amsterdam on the water

Bareboat exploration The best way to get around Amsterdam's ca.n.a.ls is, of course, to do it yourself, either by hiring a pedalboat pedalboat . Private boats start at 50 an hour, 200 per day, for up to six people. See ”Water transport”.

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Boating on the ca.n.a.l Amsterdam on the water

Oosterdok Wandering around the artificial islands of the Oosterdok Oosterdok gives one of the most authentic insights into Amsterdam's seafaring past, whether it's inspecting the old boats and barges moored near the Nemo science museum, or strolling past the eighteenth-century quays and warehouses of the Entrepotdok. See ” gives one of the most authentic insights into Amsterdam's seafaring past, whether it's inspecting the old boats and barges moored near the Nemo science museum, or strolling past the eighteenth-century quays and warehouses of the Entrepotdok. See ”The Oosterdok”.

Amsterdam on the water

Marken Taking the bus to Volendam and then jumping on the ferry to the ex-island of Marken Marken doesn't take long, but the town feels a long way from Amsterdam's centre and gives some idea of how the place would have been when it was a stormy coast on an inland sea. doesn't take long, but the town feels a long way from Amsterdam's centre and gives some idea of how the place would have been when it was a stormy coast on an inland sea. See ”Marken”.

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Marken Amsterdam on the water

Amsterdam NAP Normal Amsterdam Water level, or Normaal Amsterdams Peil (NAP), is the Dutch benchmark water level Dutch benchmark water level more or less the same as sea level on the Dutch coast. You can view the bra.s.s bolt that shows NAP in the Muziektheater, although it's worth bearing in mind that it isn't the most reliable measure, because Amsterdam is sinking by around 2cm a year. See ” more or less the same as sea level on the Dutch coast. You can view the bra.s.s bolt that shows NAP in the Muziektheater, although it's worth bearing in mind that it isn't the most reliable measure, because Amsterdam is sinking by around 2cm a year. See ”Waterlooplein”.