Façade van één van de kapellen van de Sint-Bavokerk te Haarlem 1866 - 1868

Isaac Gosschalk made this pencil drawing of a chapel façade of the Sint-Bavokerk in Haarlem at an unknown date. Architectural drawings like this played a vital role in shaping the cultural landscape of the Netherlands. In the 19th century, there was a surge of interest in preserving and restoring historical buildings. The Sint-Bavokerk, with its Gothic architecture, symbolized Dutch heritage. Gosschalk's drawing, likely commissioned or created as part of this movement, documents and celebrates the church's architectural details. The sketch shows the visual codes of Gothic architecture: the pointed arches, ornate decorations, and vertical emphasis all point to the divine. By studying archives, architectural plans, and period documents, we can learn more about the artist, the historical context, and the cultural significance of this drawing. Ultimately, this drawing shows how deeply architecture is embedded in cultural and institutional histories.