869. A FROST SCENE.
Adrian van de Velde (Dutch: 1636-1672). See 867.
This picture—known as "Les Amusements d'Hiver"—is signed, and dated 1668. The men are playing hockey. Other figures are occupied with a sledge. On the left is a refreshment booth.
870. SHIPPING IN A CALM.
W. van de Velde (Dutch: 1633-1707). See 149.
A dogger, with hanging sail, in the foreground; behind it a frigate—"and a variety of vessels, at every different gradation of distance, carry the eye back to the horizon. The air and ocean are still as sleep. Signed, and dated 1657, when the painter was only 24."
871. BATHING AT LOW WATER.
W. van de Velde (Dutch: 1633-1707). See 149.
Incidentally a good study in the "philosophy of clothes." The painter hits off with much humour the essential difference between those who regard man as "by nature a naked animal"—seen in the naked bathers—and those who regard him as emphatically "a clothed animal"—seen in the prim old gentleman who gets himself carried on a man's back. Intermediate between these two classes are those who use clothes as a convenience, but are not entirely subject to them—such, for instance, is the comfortable old fellow smoking his pipe and wading home, not without obvious contempt for the old gentleman riding, as aforesaid, in ignominious slavery to his "Sunday best." Dated 1661; bought by Sir Robert Peel from the collection of the Duc de Berri.