The artwork entitled “Ice Skating before the Gate of Saint George, Antwerp” was created by Pieter Bruegel the Elder around the year 1558. This piece, an engraving on paper measuring 23 by 30 centimeters, belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement and is classified as a genre painting.
The artwork portrays a bustling scene where numerous figures partake in various activities on and around an icy landscape before the Gate of Saint George in Antwerp. The central focus includes people ice skating and engaging in animated interactions. The intricate details depict individuals wearing period-appropriate clothing, huddled in groups, or moving along the frozen surface. A bridge arches across the scene, carrying a horse-drawn cart, while buildings and cityscapes are visible in the background. The overall composition captures both the liveliness and the communal aspects of daily life during the Northern Renaissance period.