A Winter Landscape

In this painting a winter landscape with skaters on a frozen river by a church is depicted. Winter landscapes are very rare in Salomon van Ruysdael's oeuvre, those with skating scenes date from 1653 onwards. Although Ruysdael did base some of his winter landscapes within real topographical settings, the present view is probably imaginary, the church depicted here has not been identified.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 11 minutes): Vivaldi: Concerto in F minor RV 297 op. 8 No. 4 (Winter)