Monnik leunend op een muur en een monnik met ineengevouwen handen 1845 - 1891

This drawing of two monks was created by Johannes Bosboom. Bosboom, who lived in the Netherlands during the 19th century, was known for his depictions of church interiors, but also of religious figures. Bosboom came from a Protestant background, but his marriage to a Catholic woman exposed him to a different set of social norms and expectations. During this period, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and political change, moving towards greater religious tolerance. The sketch shows two monks, one leaning against a wall and the other with his hands clasped together. The figures seem contemplative. Bosboom’s choice to portray them in such a simple way moves away from traditional representations of religious figures as powerful and authoritative. Instead, he captures a sense of their humanity, reflecting the changing attitudes toward religion in 19th-century Dutch society. Bosboom’s work reflects a society grappling with evolving identities. The drawing speaks to the personal and spiritual dimensions of faith, highlighting the quiet moments of reflection that define religious experience.