Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-2020-81
https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-2020-81
30 Jun 2020
 | 30 Jun 2020
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal CP but the revision was not accepted.

Enjoying the ice. Dutch Winter landscapes, weather and climate in the Golden Age, 17th century

Alexis Metzger

Abstract. This article explores Dutch winter landscapes from the 17th century, in light of written climatic sources. It investigates different kinds of climatic elements and winter weather types that were favoured by the artists during the Little Ice Age. The comparison between a corpus of paintings and narrative records show an overrepresentation of cold and dry weather in painted representations, in comparison to the written documents. Indeed, we can estimate that such particularly cold and dry weather corresponded to less than 20 % of winter days. Thus, the Dutch painters produced a winter imagery supported by icy scenes, in which the Dutch practiced skating. We interpret this choice by examining hypotheses based around four themes: climatic, religious, political, and social. Finally, despite their historical relevance, these winter landscapes are a genre, and only show very partially the diversity of winter weather during the 17th century and the Little Ice Age.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Alexis Metzger
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
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Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Alexis Metzger
Alexis Metzger

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Short summary
This article is based on my PhD in geography. It explores Dutch winter landscapes from the 17th century in light of written climatic sources. The comparison between paintings and narrative records show an overrepresentation of cold and dry weather in painted representations. These winter landscapes are an imagery, and only show very partially the diversity of winter weather during the 17th century and the Little Ice Age.