Glasramen in de Oude Kerk te Amsterdam, 1810-1825 1810 - 1825

Editor: We're looking at a drawing of stained-glass windows from the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam, dating from 1810-1825. It's listed as "Anonymous" and is currently held at the Rijksmuseum. There’s a softness to the figures despite the rigid geometry of the windows that I find quite captivating. What stands out to you? Curator: Oh, the charm is undeniable! I think, beyond the immediate impression of colour, it’s useful to understand this drawing as a record. Medieval and Gothic stained glass, even in the 19th century, evoked a potent sense of history and artistry. This Anonymous artist isn't just depicting; they’re almost archiving, aren’t they? Like meticulously copying illuminated manuscripts! Do you get that sense too? Editor: Yes, definitely. It’s as if they're trying to preserve something fragile. I’m curious about the decision to render stained glass as a drawing, instead of, say, a painting. What effect do you think that has? Curator: It’s intriguing, isn’t it? I believe it introduces a layer of… removed reverence. It transforms a spectacle of light and colour, usually experienced within the grandeur of a church, into something intimate and portable. Perhaps also more accessible for study or dissemination. The fragility is doubled, as it is now depicted rather than experiential. It asks us to look closer. Does that altered lens change how we perceive the religious stories depicted? Editor: That makes sense. I hadn't considered the portability aspect before. Seeing it as a study changes my perspective a lot. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! Now you see what these whispers from the past have to say!