Two animated cityscapes with skaters on the ice - Henri van Wyk

Oil on canvas
Both signed lower left


Dimensions: 38 x 62 cm, 51 x 74 cm
THE ARTWORK

The canals are frozen and people, young and old, play on the ice. Some skating, some talking.
The right scene is very similar in story to the left. We see people sitting on a sled. To the right of the composition we see a horse pulling a cart, the river is so well frozen that it can carry heavy things. The buildings on the left and right are old, they seem to be part of a historic city. Spiers and high facades only reinforce this idea. The sky in the countryside has a dramatic dark hue. The clouds seem to evoke a stormy atmosphere. on the right you can still see the sun coming through. The clouds are pink and blue which gives a nice color contrast with the dark clouds.

The left scene has the same cloudy atmosphere. Dark with a squeaking sun in it. The last rays of sunlight still reflect the ice and the roofs of the city. While children and adults skate on the ice, a man falls. He straightens up and grabs his hat. The boats are frozen in the ice and cannot leave. To the right of the river we see a horse and cart, waiting for its driver. The roofs are well covered with snow and are pure white.
Finally, we see smoke coming from the chimneys. The stove is already on for when the playing children return.


THE ARTIST

Henri van Wyck was a Dutch painter born in Amsterdam on December 22, 1833. His oeuvre is best known for his water scenes with figures or horses. He is placed in orientalism due to his interest in foreign countries. Many of these oriental landscapes featured people traveling on camels. Here and there he also painted boats and marine scenes.