Ontwerp voor het koorgestoelte van de Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal te Antwerpen 1842

Franciscus Andreas Durlet created this design for the choir stalls of the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp using pen in grey-brown. The composition presents a precise, linear rendering of Gothic architecture. The delicate lines delineate the arches and spires with detailed accuracy, offering a stark yet intricate portrayal. The arches rhythmically cascade across the image, leading the eye to a central, ornate spire that punctuates the structure’s verticality. The drawing’s structural clarity invites contemplation on architectural form and function. It also engages with semiotic elements; the Gothic style traditionally signifies particular cultural values. The arches and spires, as signs, once represented spiritual aspirations and societal order. This piece might be seen as Durlet’s study into the symbolic language of architecture and its connection to cultural identity. Durlet uses line and form to engage viewers with the philosophical essence of space and representation. The artwork exemplifies how architectural design extends beyond mere construction, becoming a symbolic language that shapes our understanding and interpretation of the world.