A Young Woman Warming her Hands over a Brazier: Allegory of Winter

Caesar van Everdingen (signed by artist), c. 1650

The young woman warms her hands above a dish of glowing coals. She personifies Winter. This season was usually represented as a shabbily dressed old man or woman: old because the year is coming to an end, and poor because crops do not grow in the winter. Van Everdingen's choice of a young, richly attired woman is thus rather unusual.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-4878
  • Dimensionssupport: height 97 cm x width 81.5 cm, outer size: depth 8 cm
  • Physical characteristicsoil on canvas