Koorhek bekroond met twee engelen before 1667

Curator: Here we have “Koorhek bekroond met twee engelen,” or “Chancel Screen Crowned with Two Angels” by Jean Lepautre, crafted sometime before 1667. It resides here in the Rijksmuseum collection. It’s rendered in ink, pen, and engraving on paper. What’s your initial read of this piece? Editor: Oh, wow. At first glance, it’s giving me stage set vibes, but then I notice the angels, and it becomes more than just architecture, doesn't it? There’s this air of...regal expectation? Is it Baroque? All those swirling flourishes seem so very intent. Curator: Yes, the Baroque influence is definitely present in the dynamism of the decorative elements, that exuberant detail. Looking at it through a symbolic lens, those angels, the wreath... consider the cultural weight. Churches and cathedrals weren't merely places of worship, they were displays of civic pride and, naturally, divine aspiration. This design, especially crowning the chancel screen, signified the gateway to the divine. Editor: So, it's not just decoration, it's almost a declaration, huh? A visual embodiment of power and piety. It’s pretty amazing how Lepautre’s line work still evokes so much depth in the absence of colour. Curator: Precisely! Lepautre employs line, hatching, and a remarkable degree of precision to evoke a three-dimensional architectural presence. But there’s also a cultural memory here – consider the power of institutions at this moment in the 17th century. That’s being explicitly showcased through architectural form. Editor: Right, those lines definitely construct the kind of space where the heavy weight of tradition can accumulate. For a pen sketch, it feels pretty conclusive and immutable, more so than, say, a splash of colour ever could! Curator: Well, it showcases that interplay, doesn't it? This combination of aesthetics, social function, and symbolic language makes it all quite fascinating. Editor: Totally! It really makes you wonder about the stories this screen, in its built form, witnessed over the centuries. Curator: Indeed! Hopefully, it gives us a deeper appreciation for architectural spaces. Editor: Definitely adds new meaning to architectural blueprint! Thanks!