Pulpit

1649–1664, Albert Jansz. Vinckenbrinck, oak

When the church was still Catholic, the altar stood in the place now occupied by the monument to Admiral Michiel de Ruyter. Protestant churches do not in general have altars, only pulpits, from which the sermon is delivered. The pulpit in De Nieuwe Kerk was made by Albert Jansz. Vinckenbrinck. Surmounting the tower-like structure are six angels, one of which is holding the Ten Commandments, while two are playing musical instruments: the cornetto and the harp. Also depicted are the authors of the Gospels, recognizable from their symbols: Matthew with the angel, Mark with the lion, Luke with the bull, and John with the eagle. It has been said that Luke is a selfportrait of Vinckenbrinck.