Pieter Neefs the Elder: Architect of Sacred Light Pieter Neefs the Elder (c. 1578 – after 1656) stands as a pivotal figure in the history of Flemish art, renowned for his masterful depictions of ecclesiastical interiors. Born in Antwerp, he inherited a legacy of architectural painting from his father, Pieter Neefs the Elder, and subsequently established himself as a leading artist specializing in capturing the grandeur and spiritual atmosphere of churches – particularly those echoing the Gothic style prevalent throughout Flanders. His work offers a unique window into 17th-century religious l…