Pieter Daniel van der Burgh: The Prisonersgate in The Hague (1825 - 1860)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

A painting by the Dutch artist Pieter Daniel van der Burgh (1805-1879). This painting offers a view on the square 'De plaats' in the center of The Hague. The large complex on the left is the 'Binnenhof' (= 'Inner Court'), a complex of buildings which was build in the 13th century as the residence of the counts of Holland and became in the political center of the Netherlands - it is among the oldest Parliament buildings in the world still in use. The building with the gate is called the 'Gevangenpoort' (= 'prisoners gate). This building was used from 1420 until 1828 used a jail by the city of The Hague. Public executions were held on the square in front of the building. Painting from 1825-1860.