Having initially painted mainly history and portrait pictures, in Delft de Witte specialised in painting architecture.
The Nieuwe Kerk in Delft was the burial-ground of the House of Orange-Nassau, and of political importance as a monument of the Republic. In this view of the south side-aisle, the tomb of William I of Orange – freedom fighter and founder of the Republic – is partially concealed by a pillar. A rear-view figure in a red cloak leads the viewer into the church interior. People at prayer, a wheelbarrow and open graves combine the sacred and the secular.