Emanuel de Witte
A Sermon in the Old Church in Delft
c. 1650
We can only imagine the sermon; our attention focuses on the play of light and shadow through the vast space and the calm and harmonious character of the place and people. The family in the foreground conveys a touching combination of humanity and piety – a mother nurses her child as the others listen intently. A painted curtain on a rod has been drawn aside to reveal the scene – a witty joke. It was common to cover valued pictures to protect them.
Artist
Title
A Sermon in the Old Church in Delft
Date
c. 1650
Medium
Painting
Materials
oil on oakDimensions
73.2 x 59.5 cm
Nationality
Dutch
Credit line
Purchased 1983 with the assistance of a grant from the Government of Canada under the terms of the Cultural Property Export and Import Act
Accession number
28182