The Netherlands had a wealthy population, to a great extent, for this reason:

a. Their port location gave them safety as they Pillaged and plundered other countries with naval attacks.

b. Port moisture and minerals helped produce unusually rich soil for large yield farming.

c. Port erosion uncovered gold veins at surface of earth; they were wealthy until this income was found and taken over by France.

d. Though there was a middleclass, that%u2019s all there was; not any real %u2018wealth%u2019 that could very easily afford artists like those found in France.