Artwork
Winter landscape
Winter landscape is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan van de Velde. It dates from 1625 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Jan van de Velde the Younger painted *Winter Landscape* in 1625 using oil on canvas. The work belongs to the Dutch Golden Age and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. It presents a tranquil winter scene along a frozen river, populated by a modest boat, a dwelling, and a solitary tree, all rendered in a muted palette.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a quiet moment of daily life in a cold season: figures huddle near a small boat, while a larger vessel lies immobilised in the ice. Snow‑laden banks and skeletal trees frame the scene, suggesting both the harshness of winter and the resilience of ordinary activities within it.
Technique & Style
Van de Velde employs a relatively loose handling of paint, allowing the surface to retain a textured, almost tactile quality. Subtle contrasts of light and shadow model the ice and architecture, creating depth without overt dramatization. The overall effect is a restrained chiaroscuro that emphasizes atmosphere over narrative detail.
History & Provenance
Born into an artistic family—son of Jan van de Velde the Elder and father of still‑life painter Jan Jansz van de Velde—Jan the Younger worked across several genres. *Winter Landscape* entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, where it remains on display as an example of his landscape oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan van de Velde the younger (1593 – c. 1 November 1641) was a Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker, mostly of animal, landscape and still-life subjects. He was the son of Jan van de Velde the Elder and the father of…
