Koorgestoelte in de Martinikerk te Bolsward before 1881

This image shows a plate from an unknown book featuring the Koorgestoelte, or choir stalls, in the Martinikerk in Bolsward, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century. The image is a reproduction of the gothic choir stalls from the 15th/16th century, made by an anonymous artist. When we consider this image within its cultural and historical context, it is useful to note that such choir stalls, with their elaborate carvings, were not merely decorative; they were symbols of status and power within the church hierarchy. In the Netherlands during this period, the church played a central role in social life, and these stalls would have been a focal point for religious ceremony. The image speaks to the role of institutions in preserving and interpreting art. The book from which this plate is taken has, through its selection and presentation of this artwork, contributed to the shaping of public understanding of religious art. Historical research of this kind relies on resources, such as archival records, art historical databases, and period publications.