Wintergezicht met figuren op het ijs 1830

This lithograph, "Winter Scene with Figures on the Ice", was made by Barend Cornelis Koekkoek in the Netherlands, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Here, Koekkoek depicts a community enjoying a frozen waterway; we see figures skating, pulling sleds, and even riding in horse-drawn carriages. These winter scenes were quite popular in the Netherlands, becoming almost a genre of their own. But, beyond the mere depiction of everyday life, these images spoke to something deeper. Dutch identity has always been closely tied to the landscape, particularly to the waterways that crisscross the country. These scenes present a vision of a harmonious society. The figures come together, sharing in leisure and community, momentarily relieved from the social pressures of the time. Historians consult period newspapers, advertisements, and even personal letters to learn more about the social rituals and institutions in which these types of images were made and consumed. Art such as this is never made in a vacuum. Rather, it is a response to, and a reflection of, the society from which it emerged.