Portuguese School, ca. 1840

Portuguese School, ca. 1840.
“Tower of Bethlehem.”
Oil on tinplate.
Measurements: 18.5 x 22 cm; 30 x 33.5 cm (frame).

View of the Belém Tower, an iconic Lisbon landmark built in the early 16th century during the reign of Manuel I. The structure overlooks a bustling riverside scene filled with boats, fishermen, and small figures, evoking Lisbon’s close historical connection to the Tagus River and the sea. The movement of the water and the vast, luminous sky lend the painting dynamism and a distinct romantic sensibility, while the work also holds documentary value by depicting the Belém area around the mid-19th century.