Preekstoel met voluten 1740 - 1762

This intricate print at the Rijksmuseum presents a design for a 'Preekstoel met voluten', or pulpit with volutes. The anonymous artist uses etching to define the three-dimensional baroque form. The entire structure is brought to life through a delicate interplay of light and shadow, achieved with fine lines. Observe the composition, where swirling volutes and ornate carvings create a dynamic surface. The structure of the pulpit appears to defy gravity, a hallmark of Baroque aesthetics. The inscription 'Andreas Bergmüller Inventor' suggests a conceptual origin. The print presents a structural design intended to evoke an emotional and spiritual response. Consider how the play of concave and convex shapes challenges fixed perspectives. The pulpit's design becomes more than functional, it's a semiotic system intended to communicate power, salvation and divine presence. The artwork invites us to consider the intersections of art, religion, and power. The design engages with philosophical concerns about perception and representation, reminding us that art is a site of continuous interpretation.