Jan Goeree (1670-1731) - Interior View Of The Nieuwe Kerk Church In Amsterd

Jan Goeree (1670-1731)
Interior view of the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam

Red chalk and graphite, pen and black ink, gray wash on paper
25 x 17.5 cm

Provenance:
Private collection, France;
Private collection.

Related works:

View of the interior of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam (counterproof in red chalk, pen, black ink, gray wash, 23.5 x 17.5 cm), Victoria & Albert Museum, (D.379-1887)
View of the interior of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam (counterproof, same dimensions), Victoria & Albert Museum, (D.380-1887).

This drawing by Jan Goeree, a central figure in Dutch Baroque art, offers us a penetrating vision of the interior of the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam. A draftsman, engraver, and poet, Goeree trained under Gerard de Lairesse and contributed extensively to book illustrations and engravings. This drawing is executed with great finesse, juxtaposing the clean lines of the church's architecture, rendered in red chalk, with minute figures in black ink and gray wash. This contrast in techniques enhances the sense of depth and monumentality within the religious space.

The attention given to architectural details—the Gothic arches, the ribbed vaults—highlights a mastery of architectural drawing that few of his contemporaries possessed. This type of church interior view was very popular in the 17th century, particularly in the Northern Netherlands, where artists like Pieter Neefs and Emanuel de Witte excelled in this genre. Goeree, however, deviates from the straightforward frontal representation by adopting a slightly offset framing, thus energizing the composition and introducing a sense of movement in an otherwise static space. This unique framing invites the viewer into the work, while also confronting them with the ephemeral nature of life, subtly suggested by the presence of gravediggers in the background.

Jan Goeree's works rarely appear on the art market, which gives this drawing particular value. Its rarity, combined with the exceptional quality of its execution, makes it a precious piece for any discerning collector. Comparable works by Goeree housed in prestigious institutions like the Victoria & Albert Museum testify to the international recognition of his talent.