Herman Breckerveld (Duisburg 1595/6-1673 Arnhem)

In 1626 the versatile Breckerveld, active as a printmaker, draughtsman, painter, calligrapher and stained glass artist, moved to Arnhem (Van 't Zelfde, op. cit., p. 31). Shortly after his move the artist made the present drawing which shows the Sint Janspoort and the bastion of Arnhem. The Sint Janspoort, built by Duke Karel van Gelre in 1537, was on the north-west side of the city and demolished in 1825. This drawing, with its precise penwork is close in style to his engraving, is typical of the artist's rare drawings.