Skaters on the Ice c. 1642 - 1645

"Skaters on the Ice" is a genre painting by Isaac van Ostade, a Dutch artist born in 1621 and died in 1649. This painting, created between 1642 and 1645, portrays a scene of everyday life in a Dutch village, with figures skating on a frozen canal during winter. The scene is depicted with a naturalism characteristic of Dutch genre painting, highlighting the artist's keen observation of everyday activities and his ability to render light and shadow. Currently housed in the Städel Museum, this painting captures the simple pleasures of winter leisure, offering viewers a glimpse into the daily life of 17th-century Dutch society.