Dimensions: 33.8 x 27.8 cm
Signed inside the composition: 'Anno - Pieter Saenredam fecit 1635.'
from the Polish Museum in Rapperswil, in the MNW since 1929
inv. no. M.Ob.495 MNW
Adoption period: 1 year
Biography
Pieter Saenredam's painting shows the interior of St. Bavon's Church in Haarlem. Attention is drawn to the asceticism of the interior, devoid of all ornamentation. Only the organ structure shines with gold details. One may be surprised by the figures of people busy with daily activities, more like tourists than believers. This is because the reformed churches lost their sacred character, and became the general property of the community. They became a temple only for the time of services, otherwise they were a city hall used for ordinary secular needs.
St. Bavon's Church was the most important building in the city, having been built for more than two hundred years (from 1328 to 1538) and was a source of pride for the people of Haarlem. Local patriotism was strongly developed in Dutch cities, which cared about independence within the Republic. The importance of this building is also underscored by the fact that 12 paintings by Saenredam depicting the interiors of this temple have survived, as well as 24 drawings by the artist, which are preparatory sketches for these compositions.
