Hendrick Avercamp, Winter scene in Kampen

Winter scene in Kampen. 1615-20. Hendrick Avercamp (Amsterdam, 1585 – 1634, Kampen)

Known as the ‘mute of Kampen’, Hendrick Avercamp painted scenes of everyday life in villages and towns, especially winter landscapes. Kampen is a city in the Dutch province of Overijssel, located north-east of Amsterdam.

This watercolour demonstrates Avercamp’s skills as a draughtsman, and his ability to convey something of the hustle and bustle of life on the ice, such as the man carrying firewood and the people playing games or the sledges that go under and beyond the bridge. The colf player does not play, but is only carrying his club. Watercolours such as this formed a significant portion of Avercamp’s output: they were usually monogrammed and intended for sale on the open market.

Pen, brown ink and watercolour over black chalk on paper, 17.2 x 26.5 cms

The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, United Kingdom (PD.89-1963). Bequeathed by Sir Bruce Ingram, 1963

Source: Do Smit