A Witness to Disaster: The Life and Art of Egbert van der Poel Egbert van der Poel, a name perhaps less celebrated than some of his Dutch Golden Age contemporaries, nevertheless occupies a vital and poignant space within the artistic landscape of 17th-century Netherlands. Born in Delft in 1621, into a family of artisans—his father being a goldsmith—Van der Poel’s life unfolded against a backdrop of burgeoning prosperity and, tragically, devastating calamity. While details surrounding his early training remain somewhat elusive, art historical accounts suggest potential tutelage under Esaias v…