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Lot Essay
This composition depicts the Heiligerwegpoort, which stood at the end of the Heilige Weg on the southern edge of the city wall, nowadays the Koningsplein. The gate was an example of Dutch Classicism and designed by the leading architect Jacob van Campen (1595-1657). Built in 1636, it was demolished in 1664 to make room for the new city expansion.
Both Jan van Kessel and Jan Beerstraten have depicted this view and because of the close resemblances of their styles their paintings have sometimes been confused. The present picture is closest to Van Kessel's painting in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (inv. no. SK-A-2506) and the one formerly in the W.J.R. Dreesmann collection in Amsterdam (see: A. Davies, Jan van Kessel, Ghent, 1992, pp. 109-12, nos. 3-4, figs. 3-4). .
Both Jan van Kessel and Jan Beerstraten have depicted this view and because of the close resemblances of their styles their paintings have sometimes been confused. The present picture is closest to Van Kessel's painting in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (inv. no. SK-A-2506) and the one formerly in the W.J.R. Dreesmann collection in Amsterdam (see: A. Davies, Jan van Kessel, Ghent, 1992, pp. 109-12, nos. 3-4, figs. 3-4). .