Sports on a Frozen River
The Met
Artist: Aert van der Neer(Dutch, Gorinchem 1603/4–1677 Amsterdam)
Date: probably ca. 1660
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on wood
Dimensions: 9 1/8 x 13 3/4 in. (23.2 x 34.9 cm)
Credit Line: The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A winter landscape with a frozen waterway, ice skaters, a snow-covered town, and a warm sky
Detailed Description
The image depicts a wide, frozen waterway in a winter landscape under an expansive, cloudy sky. The sky occupies the top third of the scene, dominated by heavy, dark gray and brown clouds that lighten towards the horizon in the center, revealing a warm, orange-yellow glow. This light reflects faintly on the ice. The frozen waterway stretches from the foreground into the distance, extending through the center of the scene. Numerous small figures are scattered across the ice, engaged in various actions. Many are ice skating, some in pairs or small groups, while others stand or sit near the edges. In the foreground on the left, a group of figures stands on the snowy bank; some appear to be playing a game with sticks and small objects on the ice. Another figure sits on the ice nearby. On the left side of the waterway, a snow-covered town lines the bank. Buildings with dark roofs and light walls are visible, along with a prominent church steeple rising above them. Several boats with masts are frozen into the ice near the town. On the right bank, more snow-covered houses with gabled roofs extend into the distance. Sparse, dark vegetation and patches of snow-covered ground frame the foreground on both sides of the ice. The overall palette is muted, with grays, browns, and whites, punctuated by the warm glow of the sky and the darker clothing of the figures.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
