Walls, Towers, and Gates of Amsterdam

Jacob Savery I

late 16th–early 17th century · Pen and brown ink · Drawings and Prints

This drawing by Jacob Savery depicts the medieval city walls at the eastern border of Amsterdam, which were in the process of being torn down to make way for the ever-expanding city. The drawing was previously thought to be by Pieter Bruegel the Elder; Bruegel’s authorship, however, has been excluded as he died decades before 1590, when the vegetation visible next to the round building in the center of the picture was planted. Savery lived in Amsterdam from 1589 until the time of his death in 1603 and would have been able to observe these plantings.

Artist

Jacob Savery I

Date

late 16th–early 17th century

Medium

Pen and brown ink

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

From the Collection of Rita and Frits Markus, Bequest of Rita Markus, 2005