Winter Scene at a Farm
1622 - 1626
Jan van Goyen was a prolific master of the Dutch Golden Age who captured the harsh reality of the 'Little Ice Age' with a surprisingly cozy touch. Here, villagers take advantage of a frozen canal to skate and socialize near a rustic, thatched-roof farmstead, while others haul wood through the cold. The bare, spindly trees and pale pink sky create a chilly atmosphere, yet the scene is full of life and movement. Van Goyen was known for his rapid, sketch-like brushwork and earthy tones, which gives this early winter landscape a lively, immediate feel that invites you to step right onto the ice.
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