Dorpsgezicht op Ressen met kerk en korenveld 1731

Abraham de Haen II rendered this delicate drawing of Ressen village with ink on paper. Dominating the composition is the church, a potent symbol of community and spiritual aspiration, whose steeple reaches towards the heavens. Notice how the church's form echoes structures found across Europe and beyond, from Romanesque basilicas to Gothic cathedrals, each a testament to humanity’s enduring quest for transcendence. Like the snake in the Garden of Eden, the steeple is a phallic symbol that represents power. The cross at its peak and its position looming over the village is a reminder of Christianity’s power over the people in the village. This has been a recurring theme throughout time, the physical manifestation of the church's presence in our lives. The church and its steeple has always been a place of refuge, the spiritual heart of the village, offering solace and guidance to generations. It represents the eternal cycle of faith, doubt, and renewal.