Preekstoel met draperieën 1699 - 1726

This engraving of a "Preekstoel met draperieën," or "Pulpit with Draperies," was created by Johann Jakob Schübler, an artist working in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. During this era, pulpits were not merely functional objects; they were powerful symbols of religious authority and social hierarchy. In Protestant churches, the pulpit held particular significance as the place where the word of God was proclaimed. Schübler's design includes elaborate draperies, ornate carvings, and a complex structure, reflective of Baroque aesthetics. But consider the perspective of those who sat in the pews, often from lower social classes. The pulpit, with its elevated position and rich decoration, visually reinforced the power dynamics between the clergy and the congregation. The grandeur of the pulpit served to inspire reverence, but also to remind people of their place within the religious and social order. The emotional impact was one of awe, but also perhaps a sense of distance from the divine.