Pieterskerk te Utrecht met op de achtergrond de Dom 1713 - 1780

Jan de Beijer created this drawing of the Pieterskerk in Utrecht with pen in gray ink and gray wash. Dominating the composition, the church is topped with crosses—symbols that carry centuries of theological weight. Consider how the cross, initially a symbol of execution and suffering, was transformed into a powerful emblem of faith and redemption. This metamorphosis echoes through countless artworks, from the simple crucifixes of early Christian art to the grand depictions of the crucifixion in Renaissance paintings. One can trace this evolution even further, connecting the cross to pre-Christian symbols of cosmic order, like the solar cross, demonstrating how visual symbols adapt and accumulate layers of meaning as they traverse time. This visual language speaks directly to our collective memory, evoking emotions tied to sacrifice, hope, and spiritual transcendence.