Artwork
Fire in the Old City Hall of Amsterdam
Fire in the Old City Hall of Amsterdam is a paint painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Aert van der Neer. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Fire in the Old City Hall of Amsterdam, painted circa 1650 by Aert van der Neer, is a nocturnal landscape depicting a devastating fire at the Old City Hall in Amsterdam, set along the IJ river.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a moment of crisis: the Old City Hall engulfed in flames, with a longboat in the foreground and a church tower looming in the background. The scene conveys chaos and evacuation, as people in small boats flee the inferno.
Technique & Style
Van der Neer employed chiaroscuro to dramatic effect, using deep shadows to contrast with the vibrant, orange glow of the fire, which illuminates the entire scene. This technique accentuates the intensity of the flames.
History & Provenance
Created during Van der Neer's relatively obscure career, the painting is now part of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin's collection.
Context
Typical of Van der Neer's specialization in nocturnal and winter landscapes, this work combines his thematic preferences with a specific, dramatic event, reflecting his interest in capturing light in dark settings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Aert van der Neer, or Aernout or Artus (c. 1603 – 9 November 1677), was a landscape painter of the Dutch Golden Age, who specialized in small night scenes lit only by moonlight and fires, and snowy winter landscapes,…
