The great or Saint Lawrence's church at Alkmaar

Pieter Jansz. Saenredam (in 1661)

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Lucky.Chen asked

Hello.Could I know the size of Interior of the St. Laurens Church at Alkmaar(Artist: Saenredam)?And the tyle of this painting?(maybe oil painting?)Thank you very much!
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Dear,

Of course. You can find all the information about an artwork under specifications and clicking on 'show all details'. This is oil on panel and 43,5 (W) x 54,5 (H) cm.

Best,
Lisa
Jeannette Minder asked

Good morning,
On the column hangs a square painting. In another painting by Saenredam of the interior you can see more such squares.
Why are the paintings hung at right angles? Thank you.
Kind regards
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Dear Jeanette, thank you for your question. These diamond shaped paintings are called 'mourning boards' (rouwborden). They were made of wood and bear the family weapon of a prominent church member that has been deceased. Therefor the frames are mostly painted black. There are also rectangular mourning boards but these were mostly hung on the walls instead of the columns. I hope this answers your question. Kind regards, Els
Michael Lim asked

Hello. My question is... What is that head figure on the wall? That face with embroidery. Please tell me about it. Thanks.
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Dear Michael, thank you for your question. There are different ideas about the meaning of this figure. In their 1989 book about Saenredam, Gary Schwarz and Marten Jan Bok connect the head with the church organ and conclude that it represents Goliath. As such it is an hommage to King David, who conquered Goliath and also was a musician; the Book of Psalms is attributed to David. Jeroen Giltaj, who wrote a book about Saenredam in 1991, agrees that this is a possibility. Giltay however believes it can also be a so called 'Gaper', a sign which was connected to medicine and healing and thus was often found on drugstores. I hope this answers useful. Kind regards, Els

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More information

Read aloud

The view from the aisle of the Laurenskerk in Alkmaar is one of Saenredams last paintings. The composition is remarkable, offering us a view of the courtyard through two sets of open doors. To the right in the silent church two inconspicuous figures are engaged in conversation.

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Specifications

Title	The great or Saint Lawrence's church at Alkmaar
Material and technique	Oil on panel
Object type	Painting > Painting > Two-dimensional object > Art object
Location	This object is in storage

Dimensions	Width 43,5 cm Height 54,5 cm
Artists	Painter: Pieter Jansz. Saenredam
Accession number	1849 (OK)
Credits	Gift Willem van der Vorm, 1936
Department	Old Masters
Acquisition date	1936
Creation date	in 1661
Collector	Collector / Willem van der Vorm
Internal exhibitions	Futuro, utopie in constructie (2011) Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita (ter nagedachtenis aan Jonieke) (2012) Een eerbetoon aan Jonieke van Es (1966-2012) (2012) De collectie als tijdmachine (2017)
External exhibitions	Vormen van verdraagzaamheid (2013)
Material	Panel > Worked wood > Wood > Vegetable material > Organic material > Material > Material and technique Oil > Paint > Artist's material > Material > Material and technique
Object	Painting > Painting > Two-dimensional object > Art object
Geographical origin	Northern Netherlands > The Netherlands > Western Europe > Europe

All about the artist

Pieter Jansz. Saenredam

Assendelft 1597 - Haarlem 1665

Pieter Saenredam is a Haarlem painted who specialised in Dutch church interiors. His paintings are characterised by his cool use of colour and the strict,...

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