Who painted The Summer?

The Summer was painted by Adriaen van de Venne in 1614.

Where can I see The Summer?

The Summer is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is The Summer?

The Summer is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of The Summer?

Museum-quality prints of The Summer are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Summer

Adriaen van de Venne , 1614

The Summer is a paint painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Adriaen van de Venne. It dates from 1614 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Adriën van de Venne’s 1614 work *The Summer* presents an expansive Dutch countryside scene. A windmill dominates the right side of the composition, its sails turning against a clear blue sky dotted with white clouds. A dirt track winds through the foreground, populated by pedestrians and horse riders who cross a modest stone bridge over a gentle stream.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures a leisurely summer day, emphasizing the harmony between human activity and the rural environment. Figures strolling and riding along the path suggest communal travel and agricultural routine, while the windmill, a symbol of Dutch industriousness, stands as a focal point linking the natural landscape to the nation’s economic life.

Technique & Style

Van de Venne employs a detailed, narrative approach, filling the canvas with numerous figures and animals that convey depth through overlapping placement. A varied palette of earthy tones and sky blues creates atmospheric perspective, while the precise rendering of the windmill’s wooden structure demonstrates the artist’s skill in rendering architectural elements within a lively genre scene.

History & Provenance

Created during the Dutch Golden Age, *The Summer* reflects van de Venne’s versatility across media, including miniatures and satirical prints. The oil painting entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, where it remains on display, offering insight into early‑17th‑century Dutch landscape painting and the artist’s broader oeuvre.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Adriaen van de Venne

Adriaen Pietersz van de Venne (1589 – 12 November 1662), was a versatile Dutch Golden Age painter of allegories, genre subjects, and portraits, as well as a miniaturist, book illustrator, designer of political satires, and versifier.