Anthonie Verstraelen

A native of the provincial town of Gorinchem and resident of Amsterdam, Anthonie Verstraelen was among the first artists to specialize in winter landscapes as an independent genre. The present work, signed and dated 1626, exemplifies the timeless charm of Verstraelen’s winter recreation scenes. Usually characterized by a low horizon line, sparsely placed figures, and inclusion of narrative elements, Verstraelen’s icy landscapes follow in the tradition of Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634), the greatest early proponent of this quintessentially Dutch subject. The framing device of the arched tree at right is a typical feature of Verstraelen’s compositions, as are the two rows of quaint country dwellings that flank the frozen waterway. Elegant figures populate the foreground, delighting in various leisure activities and winter games, such as kolf. To the left, a carriage horse towing an elegant sleigh waits at a halt and, just beyond, a man rests on the edge of an icebound rowboat. The figures in this scene are overall richly-dressed in the height of early seventeenth-century fashion: the men’s trousers are cinched at the knees with ribbon; the lady just right of center wears a black vlieger (a kind of sleeveless cape or over-gown); and most are accessorized with cavalier hats or starched, white ruffs.

The frozen waterways painted by Avercamp and Verstraelen were a familiar feature of the early seventeenth century during the so-called ‘Little Ice Age’. This climactic phenomenon resulted in a series of harsh winters and lengthy frosts, inspiring these artists to capture the ethos of seventeenth-century life in the Dutch Republic. In the present picture, Verstraelen demonstrates considerable skill in conveying the wintery atmosphere, conjured in the subtle gleam of tempered sunlight casting reflections and shadows across the ice.