IJsvermaak 1636 - 1687

Jacob Esselens made this drawing, IJsvermaak, with pen in gray ink and brush in gray and brown wash. This is a depiction of a winter scene in the Netherlands, a society which, in the 17th century, was transforming itself through urban growth and an expanding international trade. The frozen canal is a space of recreation and social mixing, it's interesting to note the variety of social classes depicted, including the upper-class figures viewing the scene from the left side of the image. Beyond the formal pleasures of the composition, Esselens’ drawing hints at the ways social life was changing in the Dutch Republic, with more opportunities for leisure and interaction across social divides. To fully understand this image, we need to know more about Dutch history, economics, and social structures, using historical research resources such as period documents, maps, and social histories. Only then can we appreciate the subtle ways art reflects and shapes its cultural context.