Who painted Fire in the City – Palace in the Fire?

Fire in the City – Palace in the Fire was painted by Egbert van der Poel in 1659.

Where can I see Fire in the City – Palace in the Fire?

Fire in the City – Palace in the Fire is held by National Museum in Kraków.

What movement is Fire in the City – Palace in the Fire?

Fire in the City – Palace in the Fire is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Fire in the City – Palace in the Fire

Egbert van der Poel , 1659

Fire in the City – Palace in the Fire is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Egbert van der Poel. It dates from 1659 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.

About this work

Overview

Egbert van der Poel’s oil painting *Fire in the City – Palace in the Fire* (1659) portrays a city ablaze, with a palace consumed by flames. The composition captures a moment of panic as figures scramble amid billowing smoke, some attempting to douse the fire or rescue fellow citizens. The work is part of the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.

Subject & Meaning

The scene dramatizes urban disaster, focusing on the vulnerability of both architecture and populace when confronted with sudden conflagration. By placing the palace at the heart of the blaze, the artist underscores the loss of civic pride and authority, while the frantic crowd conveys collective human response to catastrophe.

Technique & Style

Van der Poel employs chiaroscuro to heighten the contrast between the luminous fire and the surrounding darkness, creating a stark visual tension. The interplay of light and shadow not only models forms but also intensifies the emotional impact, guiding the eye toward the brightest flames and the desperate gestures of the figures.

History & Provenance

Executed in 1659, the painting reflects the Dutch Golden Age’s fascination with disaster scenes. It entered the National Museum in Kraków’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains on display as an example of the period’s narrative-driven landscape tradition.