"Hyems" (winter), etching by Simon Wynhoutsz Frisius after the design by David Vinckboons and published as a series of four seasons by Henricus Hondius in 1618. Measures 38.2 x 50.2 cm. A large group of elegantly dressed people have gathered on the frozen moat near a castle. The ladies and gentlemen are walking on the ice, a few are skating, a group is playing cob and two gentlemen are being transported in a sleigh designed as a swan. To the right, a boy is sitting on a punting sledge. The scene is probably the product of Vinckboons' imagination, but the castle on the left of the etching actually existed. It was the Château de Verneuil, to the north-east of Paris. David Vinckboons (1576 - ca. 1633) was a very successful painter in the tradition of Pieter and Jan Brueghel. He painted landscapes, elegant parties, farmers' fairs and an ice-cream scene. He developed a new style of painting: landscapes, which were enlivened with animals and figures. Furthermore, he illustrated bibles and books and assisted Gillis Claesz. de Hondecoeter in painting figures, who was less skilled at this. Simon Frisius (1580-1629) was born in the Frisian town of Harlingen and probably received his education in Amsterdam. In 1598 the young Frisius settled in Paris, where he specialised in engraving calligraphed letters in copper. From 1611 Frisius worked in The Hague. He acted as a business agent for several foreign princes. Business concerns made Frisius a wealthy man. His artistic production also contributed to this. After his death in 1629 Frisius left an oeuvre that consists of about 230 prints, mainly etchings. In addition to calligraphic illustrations, he produced portraits. He also painted landscapes and historical scenes. Reference: Hollstein 223, first and only state. De Jongh/Luijten - Mirror of everyday life, Gerneprints in the Netherlands 1550-1700, nr. 24, pp 141-144: "Frisius' plate gives yet antother interpretation of Vinckboon's design; it is etched with a thin tremulous line that highlights the gracefulness of the figures." Price: Euro 2.150,- (incl. frame)
