IJsvermaak 1741 - 1820

Abraham Delfos created "IJsvermaak," or "Ice Entertainment," a hand-colored etching during the latter half of the 18th century in the Netherlands. This work captures a winter scene, depicting figures enjoying leisure activities on a frozen landscape. The etching provides insight into the social hierarchies of the time. While the working class is represented by figures laboring to haul goods across the ice, we also see the gentry leisurely skating, or observing the scene from an elevated vantage point. These representations reflected the stratified society of the Dutch Republic, where class distinctions heavily influenced one’s lived experience. The image also subtly nods towards gender roles, with women and children depicted in more passive roles compared to the active, male skaters. The overall tone is one of merriment, but looking closer, the etching prompts a reflection on the disparities within society. It reminds us that leisure and entertainment were not universally accessible, and that even in moments of collective joy, social inequalities persisted.