Willemstad's harbor entrance with the Government Palace
Painter: Prosper Crébassol
Year:
Medium: oil on canvas
Description: The painting shows the harbor entrance to Willemstad (the beginning of St. Anna Bay), as seen from the three-story town house cum warehouse, located at the corner of Handelskade and Breedestraat. On the left, between two bulwarks of Fort Amsterdam, is the governor's house, the residence of the governor. Until 1861, this was also the meeting place of the Colonial Council and other colleges. In the middle of the governor's house is the gate that gives access to Fort Amsterdam. In the middle background can be seen the Waterfort, equipped with cannons, a flagpole with the Dutch flag and an optical telegraph. In the foreground is the former Waaggebouw, which has housed the Savings and Loan Bank since 1850. Above the gate hangs a green sign with inscription: SPAARBANK. This gate gives access to the square in front of the Government House. Several people are painted on the square. Near the guardhouse of the Water Fort is a large amount of wood next to a cart. On the waterfront, mooring posts can be discerned. An open sailboat loaded with merchandise and a small sloop are moored at the quay, as well as a small tent boat. A barque with ten rowing sailors and two officers has just left the quay. To the right in the background is the Rif Fort with part of the Reef, on which stands the leper house. The small round building in front of the Rif Fort is the spindle house with capstan built in 1831-1832, which served to stretch a chain in front of the entrance to St. Anna Bay in times of war.
