Alsloot, Denijs van (c.1570 Mechelen - c.1626 Brussels) - Winter landscape with peasants and the Castle of Tervuren in the background, around 1618, oil on oak panel, measurements c. 54x68cm, cradling on the back and framing 19th century, accompanied by an expertise by Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schneider / Frankfurt a.M. (expertise in German available in copy) The castle of Trevuren, which was situated outside Brussels in the Zoni?nwoud forest served as residence of the dukes of Brabant in the 14th and 15th centuries, sovereigns lodged here, often using the castle as a place from which to hunt until it was demolished under emperor Joseph II.in the late 18th century. - Very few details are known about the life and work of the landscape and history (mostly ceremonies) painter Denijs van Alsloot. In 1599, his name is listed in the register of the Brussels painters' guild in 1599, by which time he was already a free master and had a pupil. From that year, Van Alsloot also worked for the sovereign rulers of the Spanish Netherlands, the Archduke Albert and the Infanta Isabella whose service he officially entered in 1606,thanks to this position the artist was able to obtain some very prestigious orders such as in 1615 when eight large paintings were commissioned by the sovereigns to celebrate the Ommegang in Brussels (this was an important procession that honoured the most prestigious Guild in Brussels: the Crossbowmen guild). Despite the heavy influence by the well-known Flemish masters Joachim Patenier, Gillis van Coninxloo and Jan Bruegel the Elder Van Alsloots managed to develop a characteristic style of his own: His in parts topographically accurate landscapes are totally charming due to their somewhat old-fashiond lyrical atmosphere,but they are simultaneously forebodings of the 17th century realistic depictions of nature. Van Alsloot's Oeuvre wasn't very extensive, we currently know of a small oeuvre of around 40 paintings and a small number of drawings. Apparently the painter was well aware of his elevated position, for he signed his works with the addition of ''S.A.Pic.'' (Latin Serenissorum Archiducum Pictor) to emphasize his status as court painter. Although the present work bears neither a signature nor a date, the authorship of Van Alsloot is beyond question, as Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schneider states in his expertise.