Artwork
Winter Landscape
Winter Landscape is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Asselijn. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Jan Asselijn's 1645 copper painting presents a winter landscape populated by figures engaged in seasonal activities.
Jan Asselijn's 1645 copper painting presents a winter landscape populated by figures engaged in seasonal activities. The composition depicts a man and a child accompanied by a dog, interacting with a skating sled near a house. In the background, a sailboat is visible, adding depth to the Dutch setting.
These elements combine to illustrate daily life during the winter months in the Netherlands, focusing on the interaction between humans, animals, and the frozen environment.
Technique & Style
Jan Asselijn's Winter Landscape, created in 1645, is executed in oil paint on a copper support. This small-scale panel measures 15 cm in height and 38 cm in width. The work is classified as a landscape painting that depicts a winter scene featuring figures, a dog, a skating sled, a house, and a sailboat.
The use of copper as a support was a deliberate technical choice often associated with fine, detailed handling in 17th-century Dutch painting.
History & Provenance
Jan Asselijn created the painting Winter Landscape in 1645. Executed in oil on copper, the work originates from the Netherlands and measures 15 cm in height by 38 cm in width. The composition depicts a winter scene featuring a man, a child, a dog, a skating sled, a house, and a sailboat. The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
The work is held in the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, inventoried as Ж-544.
It was exhibited at the Hermitage’s Dutch and Flemish paintings display (Gallery 244) in 2016 as part of the reinstallation of the permanent collection.
Overview
Jan Asselijn's painting, Winter Landscape, completed in 1645, captures a serene winter scene. Rendered on copper, this work depicts a frozen river bustling with activity, set against a snow-covered expanse. The composition includes various figures, animals, and architectural elements, characteristic of Dutch Golden Age landscape painting. It is currently housed in the State Hermitage Museum.
Artist & collection
