An animated winter - Jan Peeters (1624 - 1677)

Oil on panel

Signed lower right

THE ARTWORK

This lively winter scene captures a festive moment on a frozen river or pond, where skaters, sleigh riders, and onlookers gather in the cold yet vibrant setting. The composition is filled with bustling figures engaged in various winter activities, reflecting the joyous atmosphere of a 17th-century Flemish winter. In the foreground, a variety of characters are seen skating, pulling sleds, and socializing, each rendered with careful attention to detail. The Dutch flag flies proudly in the scene, likely signifying the national pride often incorporated into winter landscapes of the time.
The painting is imbued with the soft, diffused light typical of winter, creating a harmonious backdrop of snow-covered trees and distant buildings, including a church spire that punctuates the skyline. Peeters has skillfully used a palette of cool blues and whites to evoke the crispness of winter air, while warm accents in the clothing and sleighs provide contrast, drawing the viewer’s eye across the scene. The overall effect is a cheerful, animated composition that brings the viewer into the heart of a bustling winter celebration.

THE ARTIST

Jan Peeters the Elder, also known as Johannes Peeters (24 April 1624 – 1677), was a Flemish Baroque painter and draughtsman, particularly celebrated for his seascapes that often depicted stormy seas, shipwrecks, and nautical themes. Born in Antwerp, Peeters was part of a family of artists and developed a career that extended beyond marine scenes to include topographical drawings and winter landscapes. His topographical works were frequently engraved and published by Antwerp printers, making his compositions widely accessible and appreciated in his time.
Although primarily known for his dramatic and atmospheric seascapes, Peeters’ winter landscapes, like this one, reveal his versatility and attention to human activity within nature. His genre scenes and landscapes capture the daily life and festive customs of his era, bridging the Flemish landscape tradition with Baroque dynamism. Peeters’ ability to convey movement, whether in a turbulent sea or a frozen landscape bustling with activity, reflects his keen observational skills and deep appreciation for the interactions between people and their environments.