A Popular Handbook to the National Gallery, Volume I, Foreign Schools / Including by Special Permission Notes Collected from the Works of John Ruskin

by Unknown

1061. DELFT: SCENE OF AN EXPLOSION

Egbert van der Poel (Dutch: 1621-1664).

Born at Delft; in 1650 entered as a member of the painter's guild there; afterwards moved to Rotterdam, where he died. "Although his name recalls fires especially—never did painter burn so many houses and farm cottages as Van der Poel—he painted also small scenes in the style of Ostade, as we see in his 'Rustic House' in the Louvre, and the 'Interior' in the Museum of Amsterdam. There are also a few pictures by him representing still life" (Havard: The Dutch School, p. 156).

One of the many views painted by this artist of the explosion of a powder mill at Delft, October 12, 1654. One might think the mill exploded specially to be painted, so neatly and in order is everything represented. In this explosion, a well-known painter, Carel Fabrizius, lost his life.