An Imaginary Dutch Church Interior

De Blieck was an architect and painter of church interiors, working in Middelburg, Holland. The Ferens' example shows one of his most frequently repeated subjects. Very different from the sombre Flemish night scenes, represented at the Ferens by Pieter Neefs (1601-1675), Dutch church interiors paintings are much lighter in tone and mood. A view from the side of the church, daylight streams in from the windows. The strolling figures and dogs add anecdotal interest. In the background a man is digging a grave. Not strictly architecturally accurate, de Blieck has employed artistic license to exaggerate the monumentality of the building.