Ontwerp voor de Tweede Bossche Wand: zeven staande heiligen. c. 1869 - 1925

Antoon Derkinderen created this design for the Second Bossche Wall, using pencil and watercolor. Immediately striking is the artwork's muted palette and the solemn figures arranged symmetrically across the frame. The repetitive architectural arches create a rhythm, anchoring each saint within their space, yet united as a single plane. This work reveals Derkinderen's engagement with symbolism, evident in the precise arrangement of figures and their symbolic attributes. The linear precision and flattened perspective recall medieval tapestries and stained glass, reflecting a desire to return to a pre-industrial spiritual authenticity. Derkinderen employs a semiotic language, where each figure—through costume, gesture, and accompanying icon—communicates layers of meaning about sanctity, power, and historical identity. Consider the subtle variations in color that differentiate each figure. This design isn't simply an aesthetic exercise; it’s an exploration of the symbolic function of art, using visual language to create meaning.