Exterieur van een kerk met omheinde tuin c. 1888

Willem Koekkoek sketched this church exterior with a walled garden using graphite on paper. The church, with its soaring steeple, has always been a symbol of aspiration, reaching for the divine. This image echoes the Tower of Babel, a man's ambition to reach the heavens. From the Gothic cathedrals of Europe to the modern skyscrapers of today, we see the same impulse to build structures that dominate the skyline. Notice how this steeple is not merely an architectural feature; it is a visual embodiment of faith, a beacon that draws the eye upward, inviting contemplation. The steeple also reminds me of obelisks erected in ancient Egypt, each a symbol of power and eternity. Much like those ancient monuments, this church steeple, in its own way, attempts to defy time, to leave a lasting imprint on the landscape and the collective memory of its inhabitants. The steeple is both a testament to human ingenuity and a powerful reminder of our spiritual longings.