Scholten family on ice Charles Henri Joseph Leickert

The canvas presents a winter scene dominated by a frozen expanse, likely a harbor or canal. A vast cityscape stretches across the background, its buildings rendered in meticulous detail, their roofs dusted with snow. The sky above is pale blue, hinting at a cold but clear day.
In the foreground, several figures are engaged in what appears to be laborious work related to ice harvesting. A group of men strain against ropes attached to a large raft laden with blocks of ice; their postures convey effort and resilience against the elements. Another man stands slightly apart, gesturing towards the raft, perhaps directing operations or assessing progress. The frozen surface is uneven, reflecting light in patches and creating a sense of precariousness.
The composition directs attention toward the human interaction with the environment. The artist has captured not just the physical conditions – the cold, the ice – but also the social dynamics of labor and leadership within this community. Theres an implicit narrative here: these individuals are actively shaping their surroundings, extracting resources from a harsh landscape.
The buildings in the distance suggest a thriving urban center, yet the focus remains on the immediate activity – the struggle against nature. This juxtaposition implies a complex relationship between human ambition and environmental constraints. The scene evokes a sense of both hardship and communal effort, suggesting a society accustomed to adapting to challenging conditions. The overall impression is one of quiet industry and stoic endurance in the face of winter’s grip.