Winter Landscape at the farm, Circle of Klaes Molenaer, 17th Century

The composition of our work is divided into two distinct parts, to the left the farmhouse with snow-covered thatched roofs is separated by a cleared path, and to the right the frozen river. The partly clear sky announces a beautiful sunny winter day. Yet winter activities are not safe. In the middle of the road, here is a group of two people, one of whom has fallen and sits on the ground, while his companion helps him get back on the road. On the frozen river we see two walkers on the ice,one of them struggles to find balance while his companion reaches out his hand. Some passers do not venture on the frozen river, but walk and cross the wooden bridge. The almost monochrome palette of our work, consisting of whites, grays and browns, is punctuated by touches of more tangy colors dotted throughout the landscape accentuating some details mainly the clothes of the characters. The precise brush of our artist paying attention to many details enriched the composition with strong contrasts and elaborate graphics. The details of the vegetation, the trees with bare branches, the shrubs with frosted foliage, the reeds around the river are painted in shades of gray and brown and accentuate this icy and frozen atmosphere. To counterbalance this effect of "stopped time" the painter integrates into the composition many characters thus animating this silent landscape and thus giving it life. The sun brings a lot of cheerfulness to this picture, creating the illuminated areas with intense white touches and shades of shades of brown and yellow. This lively scene brings the life and atmosphere of a beautiful sunny winter day in the countryside. Oil on panel, dimensions: h. 19 cm, l. 27 cm 17th century Dutch school, circle of Klaes Molenaer (Haarlem, 1630- 1676). Later ebonized and moulded frame.Dimensions with frame: h. 43 cm, l. 51 cm The theme of winter is one of the most present in 17th century Dutch painting.. The snowy landscapes have their origin in the period called Little Ice Age extending from the end of the 16th century through 17th century. Dutch artists immortalized his moments to convey to us their faithful testimonies of the cold climate and the particularly harsh winters of that time. It is interesting to note that painters voluntarily testify in their landscapes and in their winter scenes of the prosperity and joie de vivre of a young nation, which is why these landscapes are always animated by many people, who despite the cold continue to lead their lives.