Dutch winter scene – J. Chéreau, c. 1770-1780

WINTER PASTIMES ON THE ICE – ICE SKATING AND KOLF, C. 1770–1780

“Hyver. Vue de Santvliet Village de Hollande” [Winter. View of the Village of Zandvliet in Holland], copper engraving published by J. Chéreau in Paris, c. 1770–1780. Original hand colouring. Size (plate mark): approx. 29 × 45 cm.

This charming winter print depicts an extensive frozen landscape in which the ice-covered waterways have become the setting for a variety of winter activities. Ice skaters, walkers and kolf players enjoy themselves on the ice, while houses, trees and moored sailing vessels line both banks of the waterway.

In the centre foreground, several men are engaged in the game of kolf, a centuries-old ball game considered one of the forerunners of modern golf. Using long sticks with curved heads, they attempt to strike a ball across the ice in the desired direction. Elsewhere, skaters glide along the frozen waterway, while villagers enjoy a winter stroll. In the left foreground, two figures are seated on the bank, one of whom appears to be fastening his skates. A dog runs across the ice. Along the banks lie sailing vessels temporarily immobilised by the frost.

The scene belongs to the tradition of Dutch winter landscapes, which enjoyed enormous popularity among European audiences during the eighteenth century. French print publishers marketed such picturesque scenes under titles referring to towns and villages in the Netherlands.

The present engraving was separately published as an optical view (vue d’optique), intended to be viewed through a special optical device equipped with a magnifying lens and mirror. This created an enhanced illusion of depth. A characteristic feature is the title above the image, which was printed in reverse so that it could be read correctly when viewed through the optical instrument.

Although Zandvliet is described in the title as a village in Holland, it is actually situated on the River Scheldt, north of Antwerp, and formed part of the Southern Netherlands during the eighteenth century. The designation Village de Hollande primarily reflects the international fascination with the picturesque winter life of the Low Countries.

Price: Euro 650,-