A Winter Scene with Skaters near a Castle

Hendrick Avercamp painted A Winter Scene with Skaters near a Castle, one of his characteristic frozen landscapes. Figures of all social classes skate, play, and traverse the ice, with a castle rising in the background. The silvery winter light captures the Dutch winter atmosphere.

Avercamp, who was deaf and mute, specialized exclusively in winter scenes. His detailed depictions of ice-skating and winter activities became immensely popular with Dutch collectors. He populated his frozen waterways with dozens of figures engaged in everyday activities.