Getty Museum, 2008.13
A Winter Scene with Two Gentlemen Playing Colf, about 1615-1620, Hendrick Avercamp (Dutch, 1585-1634), Pen and brown ink and translucent and opaque watercolor
Los Angeles, Getty Museum: »On Thin Ice«
The Little Ice Age in art
The Getty Museum in Los Angeles is opening a special exhibition of Dutch painting on May 28: early modern depictions of extremely cold weather. The paintings bear witness to the so-called Little Ice Age, which was particularly noticeable in the 17th century.
May 28, 2024
Frozen canals, masses of snow and people trying to cope with the situation as best they could: extreme weather conditions were a major theme of the Golden Age of Dutch painting in the 17th century. Particularly harsh winters and cool summers characterized life in Europe for decades. The Little Ice Age, as it is known in modern research, was the reason for unusual pictorial content that was only painted at this time. These include, in particular, Hendrick Avercamp's (1585-1634) drawings and paintings of skaters and golfers. The Getty Museum in Los Angeles is now devoting an exhibition to this particular theme of art history: On Thin Ice: Dutch Depictions of Extreme Weather runs from May 28 to September 1 and features exhibits by numerous well-known painters of the early modern period.
The painting below by Hendrik Meijer (1744-1793) was created towards the end of the Little Ice Age. It shows the pleasures of winter, but above all the hard struggle for survival. Here, art becomes a symbol of the uncertainties of life. Also on display are Jan Berents (circa 1679-after 1733), Jan van de Velde (1568-1623), David Vinckboons (1576-1632) and Gerrit Battem (circa 1636-1684).
Getty Museum, 2004.46.2
A Winter Scene, 1787, Hendrik Meyer (Dutch, 1744-1793), Pen and brown ink and opaque watercolor, with selectively applied glaze
Dive deeper into the art world
Munich: Tomás Saraceno at the Haus der Kunst
Water, a sanctuary for all humanity
Art for the harmonious coexistence of the global population: At the Haus der Kunst in Munich, Argentine artist Tomás Saraceno presents visions for new forms of living together. The exhibition Tomás Saraceno. Ancestral Futures opens on July 17.
July 17, 2026
London: Tate Modern Presents Ana Mendieta
A Pioneer of Performance and Land Art
A unique body of work: Tate Modern is presenting the Cuban artist Ana Mendieta with over 150 works, including films, installations, and rarely seen paintings. The exhibition of the same name opens on July 15 in London.
July 15, 2026
