Pieter Neefs II, Night Mass in a Gothic Church, oil on board, Flanders, 17th century.

The painting depicts the interior of a Gothic church, by Pieter Neefs the Younger (1620-after 1675), a Flemish painter specializing in depictions of sacred interiors of the 17th century. The composition, based on precise linear perspective, leads the eye toward the main altar, around which the faithful and clergy participating in the liturgy are gathered.

The painting was made in oil technique on board, without a visible signature. The upper part of the composition has been cropped, resulting in the loss of the original format and probably also the author’s signature.

The work represents the mature style of Pieter Neefs the Younger – precise rendering of space, controlled light and realistic depiction of architecture, characteristic of the Antwerp school. Paintings of almost identical composition appear in several well-known collections and collections – including the Szépművészeti Múzeum (Museum of Fine Arts) in Budapest and a Sotheby’s auction (2021).

It is worth mentioning that works from this series are also sometimes attributed to Pieter Neefs the Elder (c. 1578-1656), confirming the strong stylistic affinity between the works of father and son.

Bibliography / links:
– Peeter Neefs I – Invaluable
– Pieter Neefs II – Art Salon
– Pieter Neefs I – Museum of Fine Arts Budapest (Wikimedia Commons)
– Pieter Neefs II – Sotheby’s Auction 2021