The Dutch Golden Age encompasses a period of Dutch history that spans the 17th Century, where Dutch art, science and trade were among the most widely reknown. During this period, the Dutch Masters had already developed many diverse and highly influential subjects of art, including genre painting, still life, and so on. Combinations of different styles were not uncommon, creating allegorical themes with symbolic and/or moralistic messages. The Master painters of the Dutch Golden Age were also sublimely proficient in their treatment of light and shadow.