Interieur van kapittelzaal van kathedraal van Cambrai met tronende aartsbisschop temidden van ridders en hoogwaardigheidsbekleders met hun wapenschilden 1664

This print, made by Cornelis Bellekin around the late 17th century, meticulously depicts the interior of the chapter hall of Cambrai Cathedral. The composition is structured around a semi-circular arrangement of figures, dominated by the enthroned archbishop. Note how the architecture of the cathedral, with its arched windows and patterned floor, creates a space that’s both expansive and enclosing. The heraldic shields adorning the walls add layers of symbolic meaning. Bellekin uses line work to define forms and textures to differentiate the figures. The checkered floor, rendered in precise perspective, enhances the depth of the scene. This perspectival technique emphasizes the distance between the viewer and the figures, reinforcing the power dynamics within the space. The artwork thus functions as a visual record and an assertion of authority, capturing a moment in time through the formal language of composition and design.