The Church Wardens of St George's Church

The remarkable portrait of the church wardens, De kerkmeesters van de Sint-Joriskerk (The Church Wardens of St George's Church), is currently on display in our Open Studio in Bonnefanten. It was masterfully painted in 1657 by the Amersfoort artist Gerrit van Stellingwerff (1614 – c. 1659). This painting is unique in the Netherlands, as it is the only known 17th-century painting in which a college of churchwardens is immortalised. It is also special because it is virtually unrestored and unlined; the painting has no backing canvas on the reverse side. This provides a unique insight into the canvas and the working methods of the 17th century.

Exhibition

In the foyer of the Open Studio, there is also a small exhibition with information about the painter, the painting, the church wardens depicted and the restoration. This exhibition, entitled “Concordia”, has been put together by the Sint Joriskerk in Amersfoort.