Schelfhout Andreas Ice view with boat and farm Sun 2 Andreas Schelfhout

The canvas presents a wintry scene dominated by a vast expanse of ice. Here we observe a low horizon line, emphasizing the breadth and flatness of the frozen landscape. A small, thatched-roof farmhouse occupies the left foreground, its structure partially obscured by snowdrifts. Figures are clustered around the building, suggesting domestic activity despite the harsh conditions.
A beached boat lies near the waters edge, its mast jutting upwards as a vertical element that breaks the horizontal monotony of the ice and sky. A group of people is gathered nearby, seemingly engaged in some form of labor or recreation involving horses harnessed to a cart. Further into the distance, other figures are scattered across the frozen surface, appearing diminutive against the scale of the environment.
The color palette is restrained, primarily consisting of muted grays, browns, and whites, reflecting the coldness and austerity of winter. A pale yellow light permeates the sky, hinting at a rising or setting sun, although its precise position remains ambiguous. The artist has rendered the ice with meticulous detail, capturing its texture and reflective qualities.
The composition suggests themes of human resilience in the face of natures power. The smallness of the figures relative to the landscape underscores humanity’s vulnerability within a larger, indifferent world. The presence of both domestic structures and working animals implies a connection between human life and the land, even under challenging circumstances. There is an underlying sense of quiet industry and communal activity, hinting at a shared experience of enduring the winter season. The scene evokes a feeling of stillness and solitude, while simultaneously conveying a subtle narrative of daily life in a cold climate.