Providing a total of 17 paintings, the Rijksmuseum is making the
largest contribution of loaning institutions to the exhibition
Winter Tales: Depictions of Winter in European Art from Bruegel
to Beuys, which was organised by former Rijksmuseum Director in
Chief Ronald de Leeuw on behalf of Kunsthistorisches Museum in
Vienna. More than 180 objects, ranging from paintings to a
sleigh, tell the story of European winters from 1450 to the
present. For centuries, artists have been inspired to create
beautiful paintings and historical pieces by such stories as
that of Napoleons forces as they faced crisis during the harsh
Russian winter in 1814. In addition, the tranquillity and beauty
of the brutally cold white of winter, the carefree enjoyment of
the frozen scenery of characteristically Dutch winter
landscapes, the habits and customs of the season and winter
celebrations have also served as sources of inspiration. For the
exhibition Winter Tales, Ronald de Leeuw received contributions
from loaning institutions fro