Matthias Parré lived and worked in Amsterdam all his life. There he was taught by Jacobus van der Stok, a contemporary of Andreas Schelfhout. Following his teacher, Parré specialized in painting romantic summer and winter landscapes, forest views and a single still life. His ice scenes are often decorated with skating figures and contemporary elements such as push sleds and a koek-en-zopie tent. From the 1930s Parré took part with his landscapes in the exhibitions of Living Masters in Amsterdam and The Hague.