Artwork
The old Regulierspoort in Amsterdam during Winter
The old Regulierspoort in Amsterdam during Winter is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Abraham Beerstraaten. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
It captures a winter scene that emphasizes the everyday activity of ice skating, a popular pastime on the frozen canals of 17th-century Amsterdam.
The painting shows the historic Regulierspoort gate in Amsterdam blanketed in snow, with figures engaged in ice skating nearby. It captures a winter scene that emphasizes the everyday activity of ice skating, a popular pastime on the frozen canals of 17th-century Amsterdam. The depiction of the Munttoren (Mint Tower) anchors the composition in a recognizable local landmark, while the surrounding figures illustrate communal winter leisure.
Together these elements convey both the seasonal atmosphere and the cultural significance of ice skating within the city's urban landscape.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting executed on canvas, reflecting the Dutch Golden Age landscape tradition. Beerstraaten’s handling of light emphasizes the crisp winter atmosphere, with subtle gradations of white and blue across the frozen canal and the icy surface of the Regulierspoort. The composition balances detailed architectural elements, such as the Munttoren, with figures engaged in ice skating, conveying both topographical accuracy and a lyrical interpretation of seasonal leisure. The painting’s surface remains well-preserved, retaining the rich texture of the oil medium without significant degradation.
History & Provenance
The painting was created by Abraham Beerstraaten in 1650, as indicated by the artist's date and the work's Wikidata entry, which also associates it with the Rijksmuseum collection in Amsterdam.
The canvas depicts the Regulierspoort in Amsterdam during winter, aligning with the title and subject described in the internal record. Measuring 93.5 cm in height and 127 cm in width, the painting is executed in oil on canvas, consistent with Beerstraaten’s known practice.
Overview
Created around 1650, this oil on canvas portrays a winter scene in Amsterdam centered on the historic Regulierspoort, now known as the Munttoren. The composition captures a frozen cityscape under a muted sky, populated by skaters on the ice and small boats navigating the canal. The work is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
Context
The depiction aligns with a broader Dutch fascination for winter genre scenes, reflecting both the climatic realities of the Little Ice Age and the cultural importance of communal ice activities. By focusing on a recognizable city landmark, the artist situates a familiar urban environment within the seasonal narrative, offering contemporary viewers a glimpse of Amsterdam’s 17th‑century urban life.
Artist & collection
Artist
Abraham Beerstraaten (1643 in Amsterdam – 1666), was a Dutch Golden Age painter of winter scenes.
