Attributed to Nicolaes Molenaer Haarlem before 1630 - 1676

With J. Goudstikker, Amsterdam, by 1932;
Dr. H.P. Bremmer, The Hague, by 1936/7;
By descent to Professor Dr. H. Bremmer, Zeist, before 1971 (all the above as by Jacob van Ruisdael).

Amsterdam, Goudstikker, Catalogus der Tentoonstelling van Hollandsche Winterlandschappen uit de 17e eeuw, 6-29 February 1932, cat. no. 77;
The Hague, Gemeentemuseum, Oude Kunst uit Haagsch Bezit, December 1936-February 1937, cat. no. 136;
The Hague, Gemeentemuseum, Verzameling Bremmer, 9 March-23 April 1950, cat. no. 11 (all the above as by Jacob van Ruisdael).

Although perhaps unusual in some respects, Molenaer's handling of the trees and the frozen foliage can clearly be recognized in this winter landscape. A similar picture is a signed Winter landscape, formerly in the collection of Prof. L. Ruzicka, Zürich.

This painting shows similarities in the conception of the atmosphere and perspective with the winter landscapes by Jacob van Ruisdael (1628/9-1670), to whom it was long attributed. Although no direct connection between Molenaer and Van Ruisdael is known, the former must have been familiar with his work as they were being painted in the late 1660s and 1670s.

We are grateful to Marijke C. de Kinkelder for confirming the attribution to Molenaer on the basis of photographs.