Schenkingen van gebrandschilderde glazen in Holland in de zestiende en zeventiende eeuw. Ontwikkelingen in argumenten en methoden

Samenvatting

Donations of stained-glass windows in the Northern Netherlands are referred to from the end of the fourteenth century, which is late from an international point of view. Frequently, such windows were donated by notables: members of the clergy, royal and noble administrators. Their motivation was primarily spiritual: performing a good deed, which according to the teachings of the Church of Rome contributed to the eternal salvation of the donor’s soul. The representations on the windows, for the most part placed during new construction, extension or restoration, were predominantly spiritual and didactic in character. They stimulated the observer to piety and a devout lifestyle. Simultaneously, the donors, depicted in the bottom part of the windows, became the subject of the prayers of the observers. In addition to this motivation, windows were sometimes also donated in order to legitimize government power, to serve the donor’s economic interests, and gradually to increase the latter’s honour and reputation as well.

Since such windows in church buildings did not have any liturgical functions, the medieval windows inspired by Rome were not destroyed after the Reformation. On the contrary, glazing with such windows continued to be customary, notably in church buildings. However, the motivation changed, just as the composition of the donors’ group for that matter. Donation of windows was no longer a deed for the benefit of one’s own spiritual welfare, but in honour of the divine Word, preached from the pulpit. The windows kept a didactic meaning, but now linked with the New, Calvinist doctrine. Clergymen no longer acted as donors in this respect: formally, their role was played out. Now public authorities, as boards and as individuals, were becoming prominent. However, they also brought up different subjects. They emphasized the economic importance of their town, also among observers in other towns to which windows had been donated. Consequently, they especially donated windows to towns and villages in the region where their authority was large. Moreover, the public authorities stressed the legitimacy of their authority more frequently and stimulated civil obedience through representations on the windows – just as on organ shutters and paintings in public buildings. The phenomenon of pride in one’s town increasingly became an important factor. Still later also ‘ordinary’ citizens proved to be prepared to donate a window or part of a window, frequently also in honour of God.

After a fierce war on Dutch territory within the framework of the Dutch Revolt many church buildings had to be restored. This took considerable time, particularly because the Calvinist church grew only slowly. Therefore most glazing activity took place between 1605 and 1665. One region was earlier in doing so than another because of differences in pace. After 1665, when church congregations had reached their largest size and building of churches became less frequent, donations of windows were diminishing. This was also due to economic stagnation. Moreover, the wish for clearer windows and more light in churches gradually began to prevail. The windows were getting out of fashion, they also got more and more damaged, and in many places they disappeared. But not everywhere. They were and still are cherished and well-preserved in various places, not so much because of their functions as regards content anymore, but chiefly as cultural heritage.