Interior of a Church

While the Delft painter Hendrik van Vliet was primarily concerned with the monumentality of his imaginary architecture, a narrative aspect was also important. A woman sits with a child on her lap. This young woman – a widow (?) – forms an interesting contrast with the open grave in the foreground. In the play of light and shadow, and in…

While the Delft painter Hendrik van Vliet was primarily concerned with the monumentality of his imaginary architecture, a narrative aspect was also important. A woman sits with a child on her lap. This young woman – a widow (?) – forms an interesting contrast with the open grave in the foreground. In the play of light and shadow, and in the depiction of the tomb, there lies a reference to the transience of life as described in the book of Job: ‘Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow.’