On the ice near a town by Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem
Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem, usually celebrated for his sun-drenched Italianate landscapes, delivers a striking contrast in *On the ice near a town*, painted in 1647. This oil on canvas, part of the Rijksmuseum collection, offers a vivid glimpse into a harsh Dutch winter.
Look closely at the details: the steamy breath of the white horse, the figures going about their tasks on the ice, and the dramatic, cloudy sky. Berchem masterfully uses chiaroscuro, intense light and shadow, to highlight these elements and create a palpable sense of cold.
Berchem was a key figure in the second generation of 'Dutch Italianate landscape' painters, yet this work demonstrates his versatility. It grounds the broader artistic interest of the Dutch Golden Age in natural landscapes and atmospheric effects, even when depicting a scene far from the Mediterranean warmth he was known for. What do you notice first in this winter scene?
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Transcript
This painter was famous for his warm, sunny Italian landscapes. But here, he captures a harsh, cold Dutch winter. The white horse's breath steams in the icy air. This man kneels, preparing a boat for the frozen conditions. The intense contrasts of light and shadow enhance the cold, stormy mood. Berchem painted this in 1647, at the height of the Dutch Golden Age.