Circle of Nicolaes Molenaer (Flemish 1630-1676) Winter landscape with frozen lake Oil on canvas 82 x 125cm (32¼ x 49 in.) The present work is a typical example of a genre painting from the Dutch Golden Age, a period in which the culture, art, military and trade of the Netherlands was amongst the most celebrated in the world. It was a time of unprecedented wealth in the country leading to the growth of an influential middle-class born out of prosperous trading relations with the Far East and the Baltic states and Poland. Cultural and artistic trends were driven by this newly-enriched mercantile class leading to a focus on scenes of everyday life over historical and religious painting. A further contributing factor was the counter-reformation - unlike in Catholic Europe, the Netherlandish Protestant church was not an artistic driving force. First made popular by the 16th century Dutch master, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, views of frozen lakes with people enjoying sporting pursuits on the ice, quickly became a celebrated genre in itself with many artists producing these idealised winter scenes, many with the typical Dutch windmill in the distance. These scenes are also truly democratic, depicting all ages and areas of society, full of joy and gaiety. Unlike much of the art of the past, they are not the preserve of the aristocratic and rich, but open to everyone and would have been displayed proudly in the homes of the newly prosperous merchants.