Interieur van de Nieuwe Kerk te Amsterdam 1824 - 1825

This is A. Lutz's print of the interior of the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, revealing a space imbued with symbols of both earthly and divine authority. Dominating the foreground is the pulpit, an elevated platform for preaching. This isn't just a place for delivering sermons; it's a stage where the word becomes deed. Think back to ancient Greece, where the orator stood on a similar platform, not merely to speak but to persuade, to move the hearts of the assembly. In the medieval cathedrals, the pulpit was often adorned with images of the Evangelists or the Doctors of the Church, visually reinforcing the continuity of sacred tradition. In this print, the pulpit is elaborately decorated, a clear demonstration of the church's power and influence. The eye is drawn upwards, following the vertical lines of the architecture. The cyclical progression of visual ideas shows the evolution of symbols, how they resurface, and how they continue to hold sway over our collective consciousness.