Our perception of history is often flattened by the handful of images we have of it. Our view of the 19th century is conditioned by grainy black-and-white footage of men in bowler hats and women in crinolines. The 18th century is even fuzzier, all white wigs and lace jabots. The Rijksmuseum is now going back to the 17th century, to give us an up-close look at daily life in the 1600s. Earthenware cooking pots and cobweb brushes, silverware and brooms. There are also exquisite objects. Dollhouses commissioned by the 17th-century collectors Petronella Oortman and Petronella Dunois. A fireplace designed by Philip Vingboons for Amsterdam’s mayor, Joan Huydecoper. It’s like stepping into the painting. —Elena Clavarino