Artwork
The Citadel of Antwerp shortly after the Siege of 19 November-23 December 1832, and the Surrender of the Dutch Garisson to the French
The Citadel of Antwerp shortly after the Siege of 19 November-23 December 1832, and the Surrender of the Dutch Garisson to the French is an oil painting by Ferdinand de Braekeleer the Elder. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting by Ferdinand de Braekeleer the Elder depicts the aftermath of a significant historical event: the surrender of the Dutch Garrison to the French following the Siege of Antwerp's Citadel in December 1832. The scene combines a cityscape with figures in the foreground, set against the backdrop of the citadel.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures the serene yet poignant moment after conflict. The citadel, a symbol of the recently concluded siege, stands in the background, while the foreground shows people resuming daily activities around a cannon, conveying a sense of return to normalcy amidst the post-siege calm.
Technique & Style
Characterized by muted color tones, the painting evokes a sense of tranquility post-conflict. De Braekeleer's use of a predominantly gray, cloudy sky further enhances the subdued atmosphere, focusing the viewer's attention on the contrast between the aftermath of war and the resurgence of everyday life.
History & Provenance
Created in 1832, the same year as the depicted event, the painting is now part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. This timely creation suggests the artist's immediate response to a significant historical occurrence, potentially catering to contemporary interest in the siege's outcome.
Context
The work reflects 19th-century European interest in historical and military themes in art. As a Flemish artist, de Braekeleer's choice of subject may also indicate local or regional fascination with the siege's implications for the Netherlands and its relations with France.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Ferdinand de Braekeleer the Elder
Ferdinand de Braekeleer (12 February 1792 – 16 May 1883), sometimes spelled as Ferdinand de Braeckeleer, was a Flemish painter and printmaker.
Self Portrait
Interior of an Inn, with Figures in Seventeenth-Century Costume
Interior of an Inn, with Figures in Seventeenth-Century Costume
De zangers
Resting Hunter
The Village School
The Antwerp Castle in 1831
The Citadel of Antwerp shortly after the Siege of 19 November-23 December 1832, and the Surrender of the Dutch Garisson to the French
