Winterlandschap 1794 - 1854

Haatje Pieters Oosterhuis created this watercolor work, "Winterlandschap", sometime in the early 19th century. The scene depicts everyday life in the Netherlands during a harsh winter, but its charm shouldn’t let us forget the potential hardships of such times. The image presents a snapshot of a community navigating its environment; there are figures skating, sweeping the ice, and attending to livestock. The presence of a church and windmill in the background, institutions of community and industry, root this scene firmly in Dutch culture. It’s likely that the artist was either commissioned to create this work, or created it for sale. The art market in the Netherlands at this time included a thriving middle class who had disposable income and who were eager to own beautiful things. Analyzing the formal elements of this work provides insight into the artist's intentions, but understanding the social and economic context in which it was made allows a fuller appreciation. Resources like historical societies and local archives can help in this endeavor.