Gezicht op de achterkant van de Oude of Pelgrimvaderskerk te Delfshaven, 1570 1727 - 1733

This etching, "View of the back of the Old or Pilgrim Fathers Church in Delfshaven", was created by Abraham Rademaker around 1700, although based on the date in the bottom corner, it references the year 1570. The church’s history is deeply entangled with themes of religious freedom and migration. In 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers, seeking refuge from religious persecution, gathered here before their voyage to America. Rademaker, working almost a century later, captures not just a building, but a symbol of hope and resilience. Notice how Rademaker presents the back of the church, a less formal, more intimate view. The figures in the foreground, rendered with simple lines, seem to be engaged in everyday activities, grounding the sacred space in the lived experiences of the community. This work reminds us that history is not just about grand events, but also about the quiet moments of faith, resistance, and community that shape our collective memory. It invites us to reflect on the personal journeys and shared histories that connect us to the past.