Herman Saftleven (Rotterdam 1609 - Utrecht 1685)

Workshop of Herman Saftleven the Elder (Rotterdam 1609 - Utrecht 1685) Ice skating in front of the walls of the city of Utrecht oil on canvas (81 x 65 cm - framed 105 x 91 cm) The painting depicts a fascinating winter landscape, with a glimpse of a city located on the banks of a frozen river where numerous figures animate the canvas immortalized in their daily lives, unconcerned about the climatic rigor that surrounds them, thus showing us a snapshot of popular life of the seventeenth century. Specifically, it is the city of Utrecht, with the famous Plompetoren, the high watchtower that was part of the city's defenses in the Middle Ages (also known as the tower of thieves, as it was also used as a prison), near which we can see the De Vos tower, which no longer exists, while in the background we admire the tip of the Gothic church of St. James. Therefore, in addition to being a work of undeniable aesthetic and collecting value, it is also an important historical document on the old physiognomy of one of the most important cities in the Netherlands, especially in the days of its great colonial power. Winter settings like ours reached their peak in the Dutch Golden Age, a true pictorial genre that was very attractive, sought after by art collectors of the time, as well as almost four centuries later, by lovers of Flemish painting of our day. Following in the footsteps of Pieter Brueghel the Elder, who introduced this pictorial genre in the third quarter of the 16th century, a large number of authors active between the late 1500s and 1600s created personal variations on the theme of the landscape immersed in the coldest season. Although based on a real vision, the view is revealed with an almost dreamlike setting, depicting a kind of fairy tale on canvas, invaded by the light coming from the horizon that floods the vast landscape with a very warm, orange hue, which contrasts with the idea of the cold winter. From an attribution point of view, our canvas can be attributed to the workshop of the Flemish Herman Saftleven, creator of river views with castles that made him one of the most famous Dutch artists of the seventeenth century. It is in fact a typical composition of the painter, executed with quality and expertise of detail, and characterized by a pleasant chromaticism, soft and delicate. A similar painting is now kept at the Gemaeldegalerie Alte Meister, Kassel, in Germany, dated 1646 (museum link: https://datenbank.museum-kassel.de/33910/), and our canvas, of similar quality, could likely be a version made by the author or one of his close followers. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The painting is sold complete with a pleasant gilded frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic sheet. We handle and organize the transport of the works purchased, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. If you wish to see this or other works in person, we will be happy to welcome you in our new gallery in Riva del Garda, in Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We are waiting for you! Contact us for any information or to arrange a visit, we will be happy to answer you. Follow us also on: https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/