Frost Fair on a Frozen River with Ships

Hendrik Kobell, 1773

Draughtsman Hendrik Kobell, who died young, drew mainly marine and coastal views with ships. His hometown of Rotterdam had a large harbour, which traded extensively with England and America. After Hendrick Avercamp and Jan van Goyen, frost fairs – with people skating and walking on the ice and food stalls – had become a traditional genre in Dutch art. Kobell’s icebound ships added a new motif to the theme.

  • Artwork typedrawing, aquarel
  • Object numberRP-T-1952-11
  • Dimensionsheight 188 mm x width 265 mm
  • Physical characteristicsaquarel, pen in grijs, potlood