Artwork
De schimmel
De schimmel is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Unknown. It dates from 1646 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The panel presents a solitary grey horse, its reins grasped by a young boy, set against a turbulent, cloud‑filled sky.
About this work
Overview
The panel presents a solitary grey horse, its reins grasped by a young boy, set against a turbulent, cloud‑filled sky. Though modest in dimensions, the composition conveys a sense of grandeur, achieved through the artist’s choice of perspective and the stark contrast between the animal’s light coat and the dark heavens.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure—a horse rendered with meticulous attention to its soft, almost tactile fur—dominates the scene, while the boy’s subtle presence underscores themes of control and partnership between human and animal. The dramatic sky may suggest an elemental backdrop, heightening the sense of the horse’s vitality within a fleeting moment.
Technique & Style
Employing a low viewing angle, the painter amplifies the horse’s stature, granting it a monumental quality despite the work’s small scale. The handling of light and shadow accentuates the animal’s form, while the swirling clouds are depicted with vigorous brushwork, creating a dynamic chiaroscuro effect that emphasizes depth and movement.
History & Provenance
Attributed to the Dutch artist Philips Wouwerman, the piece reflects his known skill in equine subjects and landscape settings. The work’s provenance traces through several private collections before entering its current museum holdings, where it remains a representative example of Wouwerman’s early 17th‑century output.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
