A Scene on the Ice
circa 1625 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This is a detailed winter landscape painting depicting numerous figures engaged in various activities on a frozen canal. It is characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age tradition of ice scene paintings.
Did you know?
Hendrick Avercamp, known as 'De Stomme van Kampen' (the Mute of Kampen), was likely deaf and mute, which may have contributed to his keen observation of visual details in his environment. His winter landscapes were immensely popular in the 17th century, capturing the vibrant communal life that emerged on the frozen waterways of the Netherlands during the Little Ice Age. These paintings often include tiny, narrative vignettes of people falling, playing, or interacting, making each work a complex visual puzzle.
On your wall. Unlock the HD download and keep this piece in your Vault — forever.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
A Scene on the Ice
Hendrick Avercamp, circa 1625
