A Winter Scene with Sleigh-Riders and Skaters 1709 - 1719

Arnold Frans Rubens painted this winter scene on canvas, likely using oil paints, sometime between 1687 and 1719. The artist has carefully layered the paint to capture a range of textures, from the smoothness of the ice to the rougher surfaces of the tents and clothing. Note how the subtle gradations of tone evoke the cold, crisp atmosphere of a winter day. Rubens would have mixed his own paints, grinding pigments and combining them with oils. This hands-on process was typical of the period, requiring considerable skill and knowledge of materials. The finished painting would have been a valuable commodity, reflecting not only Rubens' artistic talent, but also the labor involved in its creation and the materials that went into it. It is important to remember the value of Rubens’ time, and also how his creative process has imbued the artwork with social and cultural significance. The material record of the painting—its pigments, canvas, and the artist's touch—speaks volumes about the society that produced it.