Toediening van het vormsel in de Mozes en Aäronkerk te Amsterdam, 1792 1792

This print, made in 1792 by an anonymous artist, captures the administration of confirmation in the Moses and Aaron Church in Amsterdam. The print primarily uses line and tonal variation, with hatching creating depth and shadow. The composition is arranged to draw the eye to the central act of confirmation, where figures kneel before the clergy. The receding lines of the architecture create a convincing, yet somewhat theatrical space, heightening the sense of solemnity and grandeur. The print relies on a structured division of space, which mirrors the social and religious hierarchy of the scene. The upper levels, adorned with religious iconography, contrast with the ground-level interaction between the clergy and the congregation. Structurally, the artwork operates within the symbolic order of religious representation, with the architecture and figures working together to reinforce established meanings of faith and authority. Yet, by framing this event within a public, almost staged setting, the print subtly questions the boundaries between religious ritual and public spectacle, prompting viewers to consider the performative aspects of faith and power.