Studie c. 1873

This is Johannes Bosboom’s chalk drawing, Studie, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. A composition of interior architecture, it shows the bones of a sacred space—likely a church or cathedral, judging by the high verticality of the columns. Note the altar, a consistent motif in sacred spaces, not just within Christianity, but across civilizations. Altars have appeared in countless forms throughout human history: from the ziggurats of Mesopotamia to the pyramids of Mesoamerica, these raised platforms are spaces for sacrifice and offering. The motif represents a universal desire to connect with the divine, a symbolic gesture that taps into a deep psychological need. Bosboom’s study suggests a collective memory, a visual echo of humanity’s enduring quest for connection. The image serves as a poignant testament to the enduring power of symbols that transcends time.