Preekstoelen 1837 - 1921

Here is a study of pulpits by Pierre Joseph Hubert Cuypers. Notice the symbolic language inherent in the structure of the pulpit itself. The raised platform signifies a position of authority, a stage from which pronouncements are made. The ascent via stairs is not merely functional, but a symbolic act of rising above the congregation, both physically and spiritually. At the top of the pulpit on the left, we observe an angel—a messenger—a motif that harkens back to antiquity. We find winged figures in Mesopotamian art acting as intermediaries between the divine and mortal realms. The pulpit, therefore, becomes more than just a place to speak. It is a stage for the theater of faith, engaging our collective memory of sacred spaces and divine communication. This symbol evolves, yet persists, speaking to the human desire for connection with the transcendent.