Artwork

Winter Landscape

Winter Landscape, by Paul Bril, oil
Winter Landscape, by Paul Bril, oil

Winter Landscape is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Paul Bril. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The depiction of the tree functions as a symbolic element often associated with endurance and the passage of time in Dutch landscape art of the period.

The painting portrays a barren winter scene dominated by a leafless tree, using the motif to convey the starkness and stillness of the season. The depiction of the tree functions as a symbolic element often associated with endurance and the passage of time in Dutch landscape art of the period.

The work is an oil painting on panel created in 1650 by Paul Bril, a Flemish artist active in Rome who specialized in landscape subjects. It belongs to the genre of landscape painting and is part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it is catalogued under the title Winter Landscape.

The composition reflects the influence of earlier Northern European landscape traditions while integrating the naturalistic observation characteristic of 17th‑century Dutch art. Its dimensions measure 58 cm in height and 78 cm in width.

Technique & Style

Winter Landscape is an oil painting executed on a wooden panel during the mid-17th century. The work was created using oil paint, reflecting the conventional medium of Dutch landscape artists of the period. Its composition emphasizes a solitary tree within a wintry setting, rendered with a restrained palette and delicate handling characteristic of Paul Bril's style. The painting measures 58 cm in height by 78 cm in width.

The surface bears the subtle wear typical of panel paintings of comparable age, though no significant damage is documented. As part of the Rijksmuseum's dispersed collection, the work remains accessible for study, preserving its formal qualities as a product of Dutch Baroque landscape tradition.

History & Provenance

The work, titled Winter Landscape, is an oil painting on panel created by Paul Bril. While the artist is historically active in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the specific inception date recorded for this piece is 1650. The painting depicts a landscape scene featuring trees and measures 58 by 78 centimeters.

Current records indicate the artwork is held within the collection of the Rijksmuseum, specifically under the Dienst Verspreide Rijkscollectives, and is also associated with Museum Gouda. The piece is categorized as a landscape painting executed in oil on wood support.

The painting is held by the Rijksmuseum, with additional collection attribution to the Dienst Verspreide Rijkscollecties and Museum Gouda. Its inventory dimensions are recorded as 58 cm in height by 78 cm in width.

No specific exhibition history is documented in the available sources.

Overview

Winter Landscape, executed in oil around 1650, presents a tranquil winter scene rendered by Paul Bril. The composition centers on a modest village set among gentle hills, with a solitary, leaf‑less tree anchoring the view. The work resides in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it exemplifies Bril’s late‑period approach to landscape painting.

Context

During the mid‑seventeenth century, winter landscapes became a popular genre, allowing artists to explore atmospheric effects and the interplay of light on snow. Bril’s rendition aligns with this trend, yet his emphasis on structural clarity and the quiet labor of shepherds offers a distinct narrative within the broader European tradition of seasonal scenes.

Winter Landscape
Winter Landscape, Christoffel van den Berghe

Artist & collection

Portrait of Paul Bril

Artist

Paul Bril

Paul Bril was a Flemish painter and printmaker principally known for his landscapes. He spent most of his active career in Rome. His Italianate landscapes had a major influence on landscape painting in Italy and Northern Europe.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Winter Landscape?

Winter Landscape was painted by Paul Bril in 1650-01-01.

Where can I see Winter Landscape?

Winter Landscape is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Winter Landscape?

Winter Landscape is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Winter Landscape?

Museum-quality prints of Winter Landscape are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.