Kerk te Nieuwehorne Possibly 1732 - 1737

Curator: Here at the Rijksmuseum, we have a pencil and ink drawing by Abraham de Haen II, dating from sometime between 1732 and 1737. It’s titled, "Kerk te Nieuwehorne." Editor: It has such a fleeting, almost fragile quality. You can practically feel the artist sketching en plein air, trying to capture the light. It really reminds us about the process. Curator: Exactly. For Haen, like many artists of the time, these landscape sketches served an important role, operating as source material. The baroque influence evident in the architectural detailing provides a contrast against the simplicity of the means. The question remains whether Haen pondered his labor when drafting this piece? Editor: Well, when we talk about labor, I'm also curious about who these churches served and what impact they would have had on its community. Religion as a binding force and also something potentially enforced. The role of these churches really comes to the fore when contemplating this picture's place in time. Curator: Absolutely. Church design and accessibility were definitely not neutral factors. Class divisions dictated access and determined much of the structure, which raises broader socio-political considerations of that period. The presence of a bell tower on one side evokes sonic aspects of social regulation; one had to attend to these sonic impositions. Editor: The architecture in itself is relatively understated for its era. I notice the relatively simple lines, indicating function over pure artistic grandeur; a visual tool. The sketch really shows what materials and the design choices create the whole. Curator: The understated aspect does echo the tension in a time where Dutch society was re-evaluating religious piety, yet socio-economic inequalities were increasing. This sketch acts as a document and a reflection of that complexity, and a perfect reminder of the layers in a supposedly simple ink drawing. Editor: Definitely, examining it closely offers insight into historical contexts through a material lens. It makes you think about production in all senses!