Jan van Kessel Amsterdam 1641-1680

Gösta Stenman, Stockholm, by 1932;
With Galleria Caretto, Turin, by 1974;
Dr. E. Kropik, Marquartstein, by 1976, (as by Jan van de Cappelle);
Anonymous sale, Zurich, Waterman, May 19, 1979, lot 31;
Dhr. Herrmann, Cologne;
From whom purchased by the present owner.

S. van Nunen, "A Winter Landscape by Jan van Kessel", in Tableau, vol. XII, December 1989, p. 56, no. 3;
A.I. Davies, Jan van Kessel (1641 - 1680), Doornspijk 1992, p. 79, cat. no. 120, and p.195, reproduced plate 120.

The present Winter Scene is particularly impressive because of its large size.  The increased spaciousness and delicate winter light reflect the influence of van Kessel's teacher Jacob Ruisdael's winter landscapes of the late 1660s. Landscapes, and winter scenes in particular, of this large format are very rare perhaps because of the complexity of capturing the bleak chilling wintry atmosphere on such a large scale.  The decision to paint a winter scene of this size was a daring undertaking by van Kessel, but one that ultimately proved successful.  The subtle depiction of the wintry light and the sophisticated structure of the composition combine to create a wonderful impression of a seventeenth century Dutch wintry day.  The staffage in the composition may well have been painted by Johannes Lingelbach, who collaborated with Van Kessel on many works.