2698 - Pieter II Neefs

Pieter II Neefs 1620 Antwerp 1675 Interior view of the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. 1659 Oil on copper Signed and dated lower right: peeter neeffs 1659 Framed 25.2 × 33.8 cm This painting is registered with the RKD in The Hague as an authentic work by Pieter II Neefs (Archive No. 348790). Pieter Neefs the Younger is one of the leading figures in 17th-century Flemish church interior painting. Together with his father, Pieter Neefs the Elder (c. 1578–after 1656), he carried on his father’s artistic tradition. Their paintings are characterized by precise architectural details, sophisticated perspectives, and lively figurative arrangements. The latter was often executed by specialized artists, reflecting the division of labor in workshops of that time. With their detailed and impressive depictions of Gothic sacred spaces, they also contributed to the visual affirmation of Catholic piety during the Counter-Reformation. The painting on offer depicts the interior of Antwerp’s Cathedral of Our Lady, the most significant Gothic religious building in the Duchy of Brabant and a recurring motif in Neef’s works. The lines of the pillars, vaults, and floor slabs, which extend deeply into the background, lend the church interior a remarkable sense of spaciousness and monumental grandeur. The small figures reinforce this impression and make the dimensions of the architecture immediately tangible. At the same time, they enliven the sacred space and lend narrative richness to the depiction. In the foreground, a group of elegantly dressed members of high society converses with a clergyman. To the left of them, a woman walks with children, while on the right, an elderly man supported by crutches can be seen. In the background, a group of worshippers gathers before a tall altar illuminated by candles. Secular encounters, everyday family life, and religious devotion thus appear as natural components of church life. The technique of oil on copper allowed for a particularly fine rendering of architectural details and clear contours. The contrast between the small picture format and the monumental effect of the depicted church interior lends the work its special charm. Auction Date: November 28, 2026 Approximate Auction Time: 9:53 a.m. CET