Aert van der Neer, or Aernout or Artus (c. 1603 – 9 Nov. 1677); landscape painter of the Dutch Golden Age, specializing in small night scenes lit only by moonlight and fires, and snowy winter landscapes, both often looking down a canal or river. He was a contemporary of Albert Cuyp and Meindert Hobbema, and like the latter he lived and died in comparative obscurity. Research has established that Van Der Neer was born in Gorinchem.... Van Der Neer lived in Gorinchem as a steward to the lords of Arkel, which would account for the absence of any pictures dating from his early years. He became an amateur painter possibly upon contact with the Amsterdam painters Rafael and Jochem Govertsz Camphuysen, whose sister Lysbeth he married in 1629.... Van Der Neer was barely able to support his family by selling his landscapes, which were not highly valued.... He died in Amsterdam in abject poverty... At some period of their lives they [Cuyp and v.d Neer] laid their hands to the same canvases, on each of which they left their joint mark. On some it was the signature of the name, on others the more convincing signature of style.... His favorite subjects were the rivers and watercourses of his native country either at sunset or after dark. His peculiar skill is shown in realizing translucence which allows objects even distant to appear in the darkness with varieties of warm brown and steel greys. Another of his fancies is to paint frozen water, and his daylight icescapes with golfers, sleighers, and fishermen are as numerous as his moonlights. But he always avoids the impression of frostiness, which is one of his great gifts. His pictures are not scarce. They are less valuable in the market than those of Cuyp or Hobbema; but, possessing a charm peculiarly their own, they are much sought after by collectors. Out of about 150 pictures accessible to the public, the choicest selection is in the Hermitage at Saint Petersburg. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aert_van_der_Neer) undefined

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