Herman Saftleven the Elder (Rotterdam 1609 - Utrecht 1685) workshop 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 characters animate the canvas immortalized in their daily lives, unconcerned about the climatic rigor that surrounds them, thus showing us a snapshot of popular life from the 17th 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 thieves' tower, 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 San Giacomo. Therefore, in addition to being a work of undeniable aesthetic and collectable value, it is also an important historical document on the old appearance of one of the most important cities in the Netherlands, especially in the times of its great colonial power.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 and sought after by art collectors of the time, as well as, almost four centuries later, by lovers of Flemish painting today. 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 16th and 17th centuries created personal variations on the theme of landscapes immersed in the cold season. Although based on a real vision, the view is presented with an almost dreamlike setting, depicting a kind of fairytale on canvas, invaded by the light coming from the horizon which floods the wide landscape with a very warm, orange tone, 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 Fleming Herman Saftleven, creator of river views with castles that made him one of the best-known Dutch artists of the seventeenth century. In fact, it is a typical composition of the painter, executed with quality and expertise of details, and characterized by a pleasant, soft and delicate chromatism. 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 by a close follower. 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 purchased works, 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 to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, in Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We are waiting for you! Contact us for any information or to organize 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/