“The Port of Antwerp during Scheldetor” is a piece by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1520 as a pen sketch and study that belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement. The original artwork is housed in the Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria.
Dürer’s sketch captures the bustling port of Antwerp, illustrating a series of boats, some moored and others with sails unfurled, along the curves of the Scheldt River. The immediate foreground features a relatively large boat with figures on board, suggesting the activity of the port. The detail gradually coarsens as the viewer’s eye moves beyond the boats to the structures and buildings lining the riverbank. The skyline is punctuated by the steeply pitched roofs and spires typical of the architecture of the period. It’s a detailed, monochrome display of maritime and architectural elements, showcasing Dürer’s keen observational skills and precise line work. The year “1520” and the word “Antwerp” are inscribed on the drawing, marking the time and location of the scene depicted, greatly augmenting historical context and the personal touch of the artist.
