Who painted A Scene on the Ice?

A Scene on the Ice was painted by Egbert van der Poel in 1652.

Where can I see A Scene on the Ice?

A Scene on the Ice is held by National Gallery of Ireland.

What movement is A Scene on the Ice?

A Scene on the Ice is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of A Scene on the Ice?

Museum-quality prints of A Scene on the Ice are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

A Scene on the Ice

Egbert van der Poel , 1652

A Scene on the Ice is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Egbert van der Poel. It dates from 1652 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Egbert van der Poel’s mid‑17th‑century canvas, dated around 1652, captures a bustling winter tableau on a frozen waterway. The composition is dominated by a pale, wintry sky and a smooth expanse of ice that serves as a stage for a crowd of figures engaged in various activities, set against a modest architectural element on the left.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays everyday leisure in a cold season: individuals stand, sit on sleds, or occupy small boats, all bundled in heavy winter garments. Their animated presence conveys communal enjoyment of the frozen landscape, suggesting a cultural practice of gathering on ice for recreation and social interaction during harsh weather.

Technique & Style

Van der Poel employs a restrained palette of muted blues, grays, and earth tones, allowing the stark whiteness of the ice to dominate. Loose brushwork suggests the texture of the frozen surface, while finer detailing defines the figures and the distant structure, likely a windmill, creating depth without sacrificing the scene’s overall atmospheric cohesion.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1652, the work entered the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s interest in Dutch genre painting, particularly works that document quotidian life and seasonal customs of the 17th‑century Netherlands.