The Church and the City

The map of the city of Amsterdam has inspired me to study the various landmarks, mostly churches and towers, shaping this series.

Church Tops

Acrylic on canvas, 100×40, 2018.

Above the Church Tops, from left to right you see (some large ship) the Montelbaanstoren, the Zuiderker, and the Oude Kerk. The oldest church in the city, the Oude Kerk, is currently used also as art gallery. I have heard some lovely new years concerts, with extra jackets to cope with the cold.

Montelbaanstoren

Acrylic on canvas and mix media, 40×40, 2018

The cardinal churches have also taken a bit of my attention, most of which have the characteristic Hendrik the Keyser use of different materials to add highlights in the architecture.

Noorderkerk

Acrylic on canvas, 40×40, 2018

The North, South and West churches were designed by Hendrick de Keyser in the early 1600s, who served as city architect. He was also a painter, visible in his painterly details in the architecture contrasting colours and materials.

Oosterker

Acrylic on canvas, 40×40, 2018

The Church of the East was designed by Daniel Stalpaert, also responsible for the Portuguese Synagogue and a large royal storage arsenal, now the Maritime Museum. He was appointed city architect to follow Hendrick de Keyser.

Oude Kerk

Acrylic on canvas, 40×40, 2018

The City and the Tower

Acrylic on canvas, 80×100, 2016

The Church and the City

Acrylic on canvas, 60×45, 2016