The Entrance Gate of St. Bernard in Paris

Art Historical Context

Step through the bustling streets of 17th-century Paris withThe Entrance Gate of St. in Paris*, an etching by Dutch artist Reinier Nooms known as Zeeman ("sailor" in Dutch) for his masterful depictions of maritime scenes. Created in the second state—a refined version with added details—this print captures the iconic gate, likely a grand entryway along the Seine, by boats gliding on the river and sturdy bridges nearby. Nooms, who traveled extensively and visited Paris, infused his work with the lively energy of urban life and watery thoroughfares. As a pioneering etcher, Nooms employed a technique where acid etches intricate lines into a metal plate, allowing for the production of multiple impressions that brought distant views to collectors across Europe. Measuring just 6 7/16 x 10 1/2 inches, this intimate sheet from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department preserves a snapshot of Baroque-era Paris, when the city was expanding under Louis XIV. The Harris Brisbane Dick Fund acquisition in 1926 ensures its legacy. This artwork not only showcases Nooms' fluid linework and atmospheric depth but also offers a window into everyday Parisian scenes—traders on boats, architectural grandeur—highlighting printmaking's role in democratizing art during the Dutch Golden Age. A delightful glimpse of history afloat!

About the Artist

Reinier Nooms, called Zeeman

Reinier Nooms, known as Zeeman ("sailor" in Dutch), was a prominent Dutch maritime painter, draftsman, and etcher of the Golden Age, born around 1623 or 1624 in Amsterdam and dying there in 1664 at about age 40. Before turning to art around 1643, he led a rough life as a professional seaman, which informed his unparalleled accuracy in depicting ships, ports, naval battles, and coastal scenes—knowl...