The Citadel of Antwerp shortly after the Siege of 19 November-23 December 1832, and the Surrender of the Dutch Garisson to the French 1832 - 1839

Ferdinand de Braekeleer painted "The Citadel of Antwerp shortly after the Siege" using oil on canvas. The artist sets a somber mood through a muted palette of browns, grays, and soft yellows. The sky, heavy with clouds, dominates the upper half of the canvas, pressing down on the scene below. Braekeleer’s composition guides our eyes across the ravaged landscape. The Citadel, a focal point, sits to the left, its structure visibly scarred. The foreground is chaotic, with trenches and debris, indicating a landscape disrupted. Groups of figures are scattered throughout, but they seem small and somewhat detached. The subdued palette reduces any sense of heroism or victory, making the scene appear bleak. Braekeleer skillfully captures the post-siege atmosphere, but, ultimately, the painting avoids romanticizing war. Instead, the artist presents a world drained of its vibrant colors, with the formal elements working together to highlight the somber reality.