Ontwerp voor een altaar 1698

Filippo Passarini's "Ontwerp voor een altaar" is an undated sketch of an altar. We are invited into a space which has been carefully designed to inspire a sense of awe and reverence. The sketch offers insight into the Baroque aesthetic that dominated the art of its time, particularly its close ties to the Catholic Church. Altars like the one depicted were focal points for the community, reinforcing the Church's influence through visual grandeur. The etching not only demonstrates the highly ornamental style of the era but also raises questions about the social hierarchies embedded within religious spaces. Consider the labor and resources required to construct such elaborate structures, and who had access to these spaces. Think about the emotional impact on worshippers, and how art can shape and influence experiences of faith and devotion. The image serves as a reminder of the power of art to reflect, reinforce, and sometimes challenge the values of a society.