Hendrick van Steenwyck the Younger and Jan Brueghel the Elder, The Interior of a Gothic Church looking East

Although this picture is highly detailed, it shows an imagined interior rather than a real church. Steenwyck has created a view down the nave towards the holiest part of a church – the high altar at the eastern end. This area is separated from the nave by a rood screen, beyond which a large crucifix is suspended from the ceiling.

Mass is being led by a priest at one of the altars in the centre of the nave. Other sacraments are also taking place: a group enter the church to attend a baptism, while a funeral procession is visible in the background. A poor family appears in the lower left of the painting, the children asking other churchgoers for support. The other figures are wealthy, judging by their clothing, and their disapproving attitude towards the poorer family is shown by a woman in the far left of the picture – she clutches her daughter’s shoulders and tries to move away from the beggar boy, as if he is dangerous or contagious. Steenwyck’s depiction would have reflected attitudes held by many of his wealthy, privileged patrons. The two small dogs in the centre foreground add a humorous element to the otherwise serious scene – one appears to be climbing on top of the other.

This picture was painted on a copper plate, which gives it a smooth finish and allowed the artist to paint in minute detail. The lead of the windowpanes is visible, and the subjects of some of the paintings hanging on the pillars and over the altars can be identified. The picture hanging on the closest pillar on the left depicts Christ with the woman of Samaria, a story taken from the Gospel of John: Christ asks the woman for a drink, even though Jews and Samaritans did not usually speak to one another. Steenwyck has used a reduced colour palette and placed the main emphasis on the subtle rendering of light and his technically accomplished depiction of architectural perspective.

Steenwyck painted at least 130 paintings of church interiors such as this. He was trained by his father, who also painted church scenes. He created this picture with the assistance of Jan Brueghel the Younger, who painted the figures, while Steenwyck was responsible for the architectural details. The two artists worked together on numerous occasions. On other commissions, Steenwyck was apparently also assisted by his wife, Susanna, who was a painter in her own right.