Artwork
The Gevangenpoort, The Hague
The Gevangenpoort, The Hague is an oil painting by Johannes Adrianus van der Drift. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The scene is characterized by the presence of snow covering the ground and surrounding structures, emphasizing the cold atmosphere of the location.
The painting depicts the Gevangenpoort in The Hague, a historic gate and former prison, set within a winter cityscape. The scene is characterized by the presence of snow covering the ground and surrounding structures, emphasizing the cold atmosphere of the location. Adjacent houses are visible alongside the main architectural subject, grounding the work in its specific urban environment.
As a cityscape, the work functions as a topographical representation of this notable Dutch landmark during the early nineteenth century, capturing its physical appearance rather than employing overt allegorical symbolism.
Technique & Style
Created in 1825, The Gevangenpoort, The Hague is executed in oil paint applied to a panel support. The work measures 31.5 cm in height and 25.5 cm in width. As a cityscape, the painting formally depicts the Gevangenpoort structure alongside a house, with a snowy landscape setting the scene. The handling of the medium captures the specific architectural and atmospheric elements of The Hague during winter.
History & Provenance
The Gevangenpoort, The Hague is an 1825 oil painting on panel depicting the Gevangenpoort in The Hague under snow. It was created by Johannes Adrianus van der Drift as a cityscape and was later acquired by the Rijksmuseum, where it remains in the collection. The work was originally part of the Rijksmuseum's holdings and was transferred from the Rijksmuseum to the Instituut Collectie Nederland, which now shares stewardship of the piece. The painting measures 31.5 cm in height and 25.5 cm in width.
The Gevangenpoort, The Hague is an oil painting on panel measuring 31.5 cm by 25.5 cm, created in 1825 by Johannes Adrianus van der Drift. It is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and has been exhibited at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
The work entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum and is listed under the institution's holdings, reflecting its provenance from the Dutch national art inventory. Its exhibition history includes display in the Rijksmuseum's permanent cityscape gallery as part of 19th-century Dutch landscape works.
Context
Johannes Adrianus van der Drift painted The Gevangenpoort, The Hague in 1825 as an oil on panel cityscape. The work depicts the historic gate with snow-covered surroundings and a nearby house, reflecting 19th-century Dutch urban scenes. It is held in the Rijksmuseum collection and remains part of the Instituut Collectie Nederland holdings.
Overview
Johannes Adrianus van der Drift’s 1825 oil painting presents a winter street in The Hague. The composition centers on the historic Gevangenpoort gate, framed by a row of brick houses whose rooftops and chimneys emit faint smoke. Snow blankets the pavement and rooftops, while figures and a horse‑drawn carriage move through the scene, conveying a subdued, everyday bustle.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Johannes Adrianus van der Drift
Johannes Adrianus van der Drift (1808–1883) was an artist, born in The Hague.
