Joos de Momper d.J. - Ein Dorf im Winter - undated

 

 

Momper exclusively dedicated himself to landscape painting, following the tradition of specialized painting that developed in the Netherlands in the early 17th century. He significantly developed the pictorial theme of the winter landscape as an independent subject. More than 60 winter landscapes, so-called "wintertjes," are known from his hand. A frozen river, crossed by a stone bridge, forms the center of the lively village activity. The snowy streets, lined with tall houses and bare trees, are bustling with life. Horse-drawn carriages and a herd of pigs can be seen. But typical winter pleasures also characterize the picture, such as children throwing snowballs or a group of ice skaters on the ice. The staffage figures were added by Jan Brueghel the Elder. Since 1612, it had been customary to involve fellow painters in work processes. The arrangement of the tall gabled house in the middle, which blocks the viewer's gaze into the distance, is unusual.

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