Andries Vermeulen (1763-1814) stands as a significant figure in Dutch art during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Born into a period bridging the Golden Age's long shadow and the stirrings of new artistic sensibilities, Vermeulen carved a niche for himself primarily as a painter of landscapes, with a particular and enduring fondness for capturing the essence of the Dutch winter. His works continue to charm viewers with their lively detail, atmospheric sensitivity, and connection to a long tradition of Netherlandish painting.
Vermeulen's nationality was Dutch. He was born in the historic city of Dordrecht in 1763, a town renowned for its own rich artistic heritage, having been home to painters like Aelbert Cuyp and Ferdinand Bol centuries earlier. Later in his career, Vermeulen moved to Amsterdam, the vibrant commercial and cultural heart of the Netherlands, where he continued to work and eventually passed away in 1814. His life and career unfolded against a backdrop of significant political and social change in the Netherlands, yet his art often focused on timeless scenes of daily life and the enduring beauty of the Dutch countryside.
Early Life and Artistic Formation
Andries Vermeulen was born into an artistic family. His father, Cornelis Vermeulen I (also known as Cornelis Vermeulen the Elder), was himself a painter, known for decorative work, landscapes, and possibly dealing in art. It is highly probable, and generally accepted by art historians, that Andries received his initial artistic training from his father. This familial apprenticeship was a common practice, providing young artists with foundational skills in drawing, paint handling, and composition within a familiar environment.
Further formal training likely came from Jan van der Koogh (1746-1800), another Dordrecht painter. While details of this tutelage are scarce, instruction under a recognized local master would have broadened Vermeulen's technical skills and exposed him to different approaches within the landscape genre. Growing up and training in Dordrecht placed Vermeulen firmly within a region steeped in the traditions of Dutch landscape painting, a legacy stretching back to the masters of the seventeenth century.
The Enduring Appeal of Winter
While Vermeulen engaged with landscape painting more broadly, and also produced some marine scenes, his most characteristic and celebrated works are his winter landscapes. He excelled in depicting the frozen canals and rivers of the Netherlands teeming with life. These scenes often feature a multitude of figures engaged in typically Dutch winter activities: elegantly dressed couples skating hand-in-hand, children playing on the ice, men pushing sleds laden with goods, and villagers gathering near koek-en-zopie stalls (makeshift stands selling warm snacks and drinks).
Vermeulen's approach to these winter scenes was marked by a keen eye for detail and a vibrant palette. Unlike the sometimes more muted tones of earlier seventeenth-century winter landscapes, Vermeulen often employed bright, cheerful colours, particularly in the clothing of his figures. Reds, blues, and yellows punctuate the snowy expanses, adding visual interest and a sense of lively energy. His figures, though small in scale relative to the overall landscape, are rendered with individuality and animation, contributing to the narrative quality of his paintings.
He demonstrated a strong ability to capture the specific light and atmosphere of a cold winter's day. The low sun might cast long shadows across the ice, or a crisp, clear light might illuminate the scene. He paid attention to the texture of snow and ice, the bare branches of trees against the sky, and the characteristic architecture of Dutch villages nestled within the wintery setting. This combination of detailed observation, lively figuration, and atmospheric sensitivity defines his contribution to the genre.
Echoes of the Golden Age
Andries Vermeulen worked consciously within the long and prestigious tradition of Dutch landscape painting established during the seventeenth century, often referred to as the Dutch Golden Age. His winter scenes, in particular, show a clear debt to pioneers of the genre like Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634). Avercamp, known as "de Stomme van Kampen" (the Mute of Kampen), was one of the earliest specialists in winter landscapes, famous for his detailed, bird's-eye views filled with anecdotal incidents on the ice. Vermeulen adopted a similar interest in populating his scenes with numerous figures and capturing the social life that unfolded on frozen waterways.
Another significant influence from the Golden Age was Isack van Ostade (1621-1649). While also known for genre scenes, van Ostade produced memorable winter landscapes that often focused on village life, travellers, and inns set against snowy backdrops. His ability to integrate figures naturally within the landscape and convey a sense of rustic charm likely resonated with Vermeulen. The compositional structures and thematic elements found in Vermeulen's work often recall these seventeenth-century precedents.
Furthermore, the broader tradition of Dutch landscape, encompassing artists like Jan van Goyen (1596-1656) and Salomon van Ruysdael (c. 1602-1670), who masterfully captured the Dutch countryside's flat horizons and expansive skies, provided a foundational context. While Vermeulen specialized, the underlying principles of realistic observation and atmospheric rendering common to the Golden Age permeate his work. He can be seen as an inheritor and adapter of this legacy, translating its themes into the visual language of his own time. Aert van der Neer (1603/1604–1677), famed for his moonlight scenes and winter landscapes with skaters, also forms part of this influential lineage.
Artistic Style and Characteristics
Vermeulen's style is characterized by careful draftsmanship and a relatively smooth application of paint, typical of late eighteenth-century academic practices, yet retaining a certain liveliness. His compositions are generally well-balanced, often employing diagonal lines – such as the receding line of a frozen river or canal – to create a sense of depth. He frequently included architectural elements like windmills, church spires, or village houses, which serve both as compositional anchors and as signifiers of the Dutch setting.
A notable feature of his work is the sheer number of figures he often included and the attention paid to their activities and interactions. These are not mere staffage but integral parts of the scene's narrative. One might see vendors hawking wares, gentlemen assisting ladies on the ice, workers transporting goods, or groups conversing. This focus on human activity lends his paintings a sociable and engaging quality. There's often a sense of community and shared experience depicted in his bustling winter scenes.
His use of colour, as mentioned, could be quite vibrant, contributing to a generally optimistic and pleasant mood, even amidst the cold. While adept at rendering the crispness of winter air, his scenes rarely feel bleak or desolate. Instead, they often celebrate the resilience and enjoyment of life during the winter months. Some art historians note a touch of gentle humour or charming observation in the way he depicts certain figures or interactions, adding another layer of appeal.
Marine Paintings
Although less prolific or perhaps less studied than his winter landscapes, Andries Vermeulen also ventured into marine painting. This genre, depicting ships, harbours, and coastal scenes, was another cornerstone of Dutch Golden Age art, mastered by artists like Willem van de Velde the Younger (1633-1707) and Ludolf Bakhuizen (1630-1708).
Vermeulen's marine works likely continued the tradition of detailed ship portrayal and attention to atmospheric conditions at sea or in estuaries. Given his Dordrecht origins, a city intrinsically linked to rivers and maritime trade, and his later base in Amsterdam, a major port city, it is unsurprising that he engaged with this subject matter. However, his reputation today rests more firmly on his evocative winter scenes. It's worth noting that sometimes attribution debates arise; for instance, works occasionally debated between Jan van de Cappelle (1626–1679), a Golden Age master of calm seas, and later artists, highlight the complexities of stylistic lineage, though firm evidence linking Vermeulen to specific contested Van de Cappelle works is generally lacking.
Representative Works
Several paintings exemplify Andries Vermeulen's style and preferred subjects. While titles can vary slightly in translation or across collections, key examples include:
"Winter Landscape with Skaters and a Tavern": This title represents a common theme in his oeuvre. Such works typically depict a wide view of a frozen waterway bustling with skaters of all social classes, often with a cozy inn or tavern featured prominently on the bank, smoke curling from its chimney, suggesting warmth and conviviality within the cold landscape. One such painting is held by the Hoogsteder & Hoogsteder gallery in The Hague.
"A Scene on Ice" (c. 1800): Housed in the Städel Museum in Frankfurt, this painting is a quintessential Vermeulen winter scene. It showcases his skill in rendering the effects of light on snow and ice and is populated with numerous lively figures enjoying the frozen expanse. The composition likely follows the tradition established by Avercamp but with Vermeulen's characteristic late eighteenth-century palette and figure style.
"Winter Sunday in a Village": A work with this theme, possibly the one noted as being in a Copenhagen gallery (likely the Statens Museum for Kunst - SMK), would focus on the social aspect of winter leisure, perhaps showing villagers heading to or from church, or simply enjoying a day of rest on the ice.
"Winter on the Dutch River" / "Frozen River Scene": Titles like these point to works focusing on the river or canal itself as the central element, emphasizing the breadth of the frozen landscape and the various activities taking place upon it, from transport to recreation.
"Boat with Load of Pigs Going Through Frozen River": This more specific title suggests a work capturing a particular, perhaps slightly humorous or anecdotal, aspect of winter transport and commerce, showcasing Vermeulen's interest in the details of everyday life.
These examples highlight his consistent focus on winter activities, his skill in composition and atmospheric rendering, and his connection to the traditions of Dutch landscape painting.
Context and Contemporaries
Andries Vermeulen worked during a period of transition in Dutch art. The towering achievements of the seventeenth century still loomed large, and many artists continued to work in established genres like landscape, portraiture, and still life, often emulating Golden Age styles. However, influences from broader European movements like Neoclassicism and early Romanticism were also beginning to be felt.
While direct collaborations or documented rivalries between Vermeulen and specific contemporaries are not widely recorded, he was part of a broader artistic milieu in cities like Dordrecht and Amsterdam. Other Dutch landscape painters active around the same time included:
Jacob van Strij (1756-1815): Also from Dordrecht, van Strij was known for his sunny landscapes often featuring cattle, heavily influenced by Aelbert Cuyp. He and Vermeulen would certainly have been aware of each other's work in their shared hometown.
Pieter Gerardus van Os (1776-1839): A younger contemporary, van Os was known for landscapes with cattle and later for military scenes, reflecting the Napoleonic era.
Wouter Johannes van Troostwijk (1782-1810): Praised for his atmospheric sensitivity and realistic approach, van Troostwijk's promising career was cut short by his early death. His work showed hints of a move towards Romanticism.
Egbert van Drielst (1745-1818): Known as the "Drenthe Hobbema," he specialized in wooded landscapes, particularly depicting the scenery of the Drenthe region, often drawing inspiration from Meindert Hobbema (1638-1709).
These artists, along with Vermeulen, represent the continuation of the Dutch landscape tradition into the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, each adapting the legacy of the Golden Age in their own way while navigating the changing artistic currents of their time. The enduring popularity of landscape painting reflected both national pride in the Dutch countryside and a steady market demand for such scenes.
Legacy and Collections
Andries Vermeulen's legacy lies primarily in his skillful and charming continuation of the Dutch winter landscape tradition. While perhaps not considered an innovator on the scale of the greatest Golden Age masters, he produced a consistent body of high-quality work that captured a specific and beloved aspect of Dutch life and scenery. His paintings offered patrons detailed, lively, and often cheerful depictions of their country, rooted in a familiar and respected artistic heritage.
His historical evaluation places him as a competent and appealing painter who successfully adapted seventeenth-century themes to late eighteenth-century tastes. His work maintained a high level of craftsmanship and observational detail. The enduring appeal of his winter scenes ensures his continued recognition among specialists and collectors of Dutch art.
His son, Cornelis Vermeulen II (also known as Cornelis Vermeulen the Younger, 1792/93-1851), followed in his father's footsteps, also becoming a painter, thus continuing the family's artistic line into the nineteenth century.
Today, works by Andries Vermeulen can be found in several public museum collections, attesting to his recognized status in Dutch art history. Notable holdings include:
Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK - National Gallery of Denmark), Copenhagen, Denmark
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands (which holds several drawings and possibly paintings)
His paintings also appear periodically on the art market, held in private collections and occasionally featured by galleries specializing in Old Master paintings, such as Hoogsteder & Hoogsteder in The Hague.
Conclusion
Andries Vermeulen occupies a respected place in the narrative of Dutch art history as a dedicated and talented painter of landscapes, particularly renowned for his winter scenes. Born in Dordrecht and working primarily in his hometown and later Amsterdam, he absorbed the rich traditions of the Dutch Golden Age, especially the legacy of artists like Hendrick Avercamp and Isack van Ostade. He translated these influences into his own distinct style, characterized by detailed observation, lively figures, often vibrant colours, and a keen sense of atmosphere.
His depictions of bustling life on the frozen canals and rivers of the Netherlands remain his most enduring contribution. These works capture not just the physical appearance of the Dutch winter but also the social activities and communal spirit associated with it. While also producing marine paintings, it is his winter landscapes that secure his reputation. As an artist bridging the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Vermeulen skillfully carried forward a beloved national genre, creating works that continue to be appreciated for their charm, detail, and connection to a defining tradition in Netherlandish art. His paintings offer a window onto a specific time and place, rendered with an engaging blend of realism and picturesque appeal.
