Altaren, Höfen 1857 - 1859

This is Pierre Cuypers’ pencil drawing, ‘Altaren, Höfen’. The almost ethereal quality comes from Cuypers’ delicate pencil strokes on the light paper. The composition is split into two main sketches, each a different view of what appears to be an altar design. On the left, the view is frontal, allowing us to perceive the altar’s symmetrical structure and elaborate detailing, crowned with spires. To the right, a side view gives depth and dimension, offering insight into the altar’s spatial construction and how its elements relate in three dimensions. Notice the precision in each line, and the geometric components within the Gothic-inspired design, creating an almost architectural blueprint. The drawing is an exercise in structure and form, revealing a preoccupation with the interplay of line and space. How does each element connect, and how does the visual representation of an architectural concept translate into a tangible artistic expression?