The Nave and Choir of the Mariakerk in Utrecht

Pieter Saenredam (1579-1665), oil on panel, 1641

In the young Dutch Republic only Reformed Protestant services were still held in the former Catholic churches. Statues and paintings of saints were prohibited. The 11th-century Mariakerk preserved the decorations of the piers, which Saenredam here rendered in great detail – even applying gold leaf. At the left visitors look at an image of a bull on one of the piers: according to legend, this column continued to sink during construction until it was grounded on a bull’s hide.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-851
  • Dimensionsheight 121.5 cm x width 95 cm, depth 7.3 cm