Portal of a stairway tower, with a man descending the stairs: presumably the moment before the assassination of William the Silent in the Ptinsenhof, Delft 1640 - 1664

"Portal of a Stairway Tower, with a Man Descending the Stairs: Presumably the Moment Before the Assassination of William the Silent in the Prinsenhof, Delft" is a 17th-century oil painting by Egbert Lievensz. van der Poel, completed between 1640 and 1664. The painting depicts a dimly lit interior scene of a spiraling staircase with a man descending the steps, with a dog in the foreground. The painting is thought to portray the moment before the assassination of William the Silent, a significant historical event in Dutch history. The artist’s dramatic use of chiaroscuro and detailed rendering of the architectural features creates a sense of tension and intrigue, hinting at the impending tragedy. The painting's small size, 49.5 cm by 40 cm, lends intimacy to the scene and draws the viewer into the moment leading up to the assassination.