Night Fire in a Dutch Town by Egbert van der Poël

Night Fire in a Dutch Town, oil on canvas, dimensions 17 cm x 21 cm, with its old frame 26 cm x 30 cm, by Egbert van der Poël (1621–1664)

This striking small panel vividly illustrates a nocturnal urban fire, a recurring theme in the work of Egbert van der Poël. The scene, bathed in an orange and dramatic light, shows a Dutch town engulfed in flames. The steep roofs, central church tower, and the silhouettes of the buildings evoke typical 17th-century architecture of the Netherlands. In the foreground, figures are busy in boats on a canal, seeking to flee or to bring aid, while others bustle in the blazing streets.

Van der Poël, active in Delft and Rotterdam, specialized in representations of catastrophes, particularly fires, which he rendered with narrative precision and a flamboyant palette. This painting belongs to the Dutch tradition of the animated urban landscape, but with a dramatic tension that sets it apart. It may evoke the tragic explosion of the Delft gunpowder magazine in 1654, an event he depicted on several occasions.

The composition is dense and dynamic, structured around the contrast between the darkness of night and the bursts of fire. Van der Poël masters the effects of light, playing with reflections in the water and cast shadows. The figures, though small, are expressive and contribute to the narrative. The reduced format enhances the intimacy of the scene while preserving a remarkable visual power.

The work is presented in a blackened wood frame with a gilt border, typical of 17th-century Dutch framing. A nameplate indicates the artist and his dates. The state of conservation is good, with fine legibility of details and a well-preserved palette.