Grafmonument en altaar 1665 - 1724

Hendrik-Frans Verbruggen created this sketch of a ‘Grave Monument and Altar’ using pen and brown ink sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. During this period, the Catholic Church heavily influenced artistic expression in the Southern Netherlands. Religious themes were not just about devotion but were also deeply intertwined with the social and political identities of the people. Verbruggen, coming from a family of sculptors, was adept at capturing the emotional intensity characteristic of Baroque art. Notice how the dramatic arches and the flowing drapes create a sense of theater. The angels in the sketch suggest themes of salvation, and the altar hints at sacrifice and redemption. These symbols would have spoken volumes to a society steeped in religious tradition. Consider how Verbruggen's work invites us to reflect on our own mortality and the rituals we create to honor those who have passed. The sketch is not just a design; it's a window into the soul of a culture grappling with questions of life, death, and spiritual identity.