A Town Gate in Leerdam, Jan Weissenbruch, c. 1868 - c. 1870
oil on canvas, h 77cm × w 104cm More details
Weissenbruch was partial to small Dutch towns where the 17th century was still palpable. The degree of detail in this townscape suggests that he painted it from life. However, because the exterior of the gate was more interesting, he simply turned it around. Moreover, the moment he portrayed was not chosen randomly. The sun shines brightly again after a rain shower, bathing everything in a crisp light.
