Aert van der Neer, also known as Aernout or Artus, was a Dutch landscape painter, primarily of night scenes, winter landscapes, and scenes with ice and snow. Born in Amsterdam or Gorinchem (sources vary), he was a contemporary of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of great wealth and cultural achievement in the Netherlands. Van der Neer is not known to have received any formal training as an artist, and his early career was in managing an inn and as a steward. His artistic career began later in life, and despite his talent, he never achieved significant financial success, dying in poverty. Van der Neer's work is characterized by his innovative approach to lighting and the depiction of light reflecting off water and ice. His night scenes, often illuminated by moonlight or the warm glow of a fire, are particularly notable for their mood and realism. He was also adept at capturing the serene beauty of the Dutch landscape in his winter scenes, which feature skaters and other figures enjoying the ice. His work influences include the landscapes of Hendrick Avercamp and the night scenes of Adam van Breen. Despite his lack of formal training, Van der Neer developed a distinctive style that has been highly regarded by art historians. His paintings are a valuable record of the Dutch landscape and society during the 17th century. Today, his works can be found in major museums around the world, including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the National Gallery in London. His sons Eglon van der Neer and Johannes van der Neer also became painters, although they did not achieve the same level of recognition as their father.
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