De St. Janskerk te 's Hertogenbosch 1834 - 1879

Curator: Edouard Taurel created this detailed engraving, "De St. Janskerk te 's-Hertogenbosch," sometime between 1834 and 1879. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My initial reaction is that the scale is so impressive; I feel small looking at it. The artist did a great job with the meticulous lines to convey such a grandiose structure and sky. Curator: Absolutely, the cityscape offers insight into how medieval architecture intersects with civic identity and religious power during the period it represents. Consider also the societal implications inherent to constructing something this vast, this imposing. Who benefited, and who bore the burden? Editor: That's a valid point. Looking at the method itself—engraving, and the work required! We must recognize the labor needed to depict this. It speaks volumes about the social standing of image production during the mid-19th century and beyond. Consider also who can access it, and the means through which this building is captured into image form. Curator: Precisely. And thinking about access and how that intersects with the gaze upon the architectural construct that the engraving holds…The perspective adopted also invites examination of the cultural lens of the Dutch 19th century on religion. How are we invited to see the church? As imposing, holy, welcoming? Editor: Definitely imposing! But also consider this image, while printed, reproduces labor in multiple directions, both that which produced the architecture it pictures and that which yields it's image. Curator: That is very true. There are many perspectives to be seen. Editor: It’s fascinating how a single image can unlock so many layered perspectives! Curator: Indeed, an invitation for ongoing reflection on social systems, power, representation, labor, and religion across time and location.