Author: David Coster (1665/85-1752)
Title: [Antique print; etching and engraving] GRONDTEKENING van de NIEUWEKERK in 's GRAVENHAAGE (Nieuwe kerk te Den Haag, 's-Gravenhage), published 1746.
Description: Scheme of the disposition of the seats inside the Nieuwekerk in The Hague (plattegrond van de Nieuwekerk in Den Haag). Published in 1746. Titled above in a ribbon: GRONDTEKENING van de NIEUWEKERK in / 's GRAVENHAAGE door HENDRIK MUILMAN, Koster van dezelve kerk. Interesting insight on how society was divided during the services. For example, seats dedicated to women (Vrouwenbanken) are the most remote (on the left and other seats in the corners; higher ranking women were sitting in front of the tribune, facing the preacher). On the top left and right some heraldic shields referring to the city. Address on bottom right: 'D. Coster sculpsit A[nn]o 1746'. Inscribed on the left: 'Aan de EDELE MOGENDE HEEREN GECOMMITTEERDE ter SOCIETEIT in 'S GRAAVENHAGE, kerkmeesteren van de Nieuwe Kerk: ... (JOHAN VAN BLEISWYK, JOHAN HOP, CORNELIS GERRIT FAGEL, JOHAN IMAN CAU, HENDRIK HOOFT, ABRAHAM VAN HOEY, JAN HUDDE DEDEL, JACOB VAN ASSENDELFT, JOAN VOLLEVENS, JOHAN DIERQUENS) WORD DEZE PLATTE GROND VAN DE NIEUWE KERK EERBIEDING OPGEDRAAGEN DOOR HAAR ED. MOG. ONDERDAANIGEN DIENAAR HENDRIK MUILMAN.' Etching and engraving on paper; plate mark: 353 x 516, total: 470 x 640 mm. Vertical crease in the middle; three light brown stains on the right section; a folding on the top right corner; two tears along the middle crease, not affecting the plate, some smudges among the most external margins.

Keywords: Architecture|Cartography|Church history|Design|the Hague|Topography & Travel