Architectonisch ontwerp voor de voorgevel van een woonhuis 1788 - 1852

Wybrand Tollenaar crafted this architectural design for a house facade with ink and watercolor. The emphasis is on symmetry and order, qualities that suggest a desire for control over nature. The design speaks to the rising merchant class and their desire to emulate aristocratic grandeur. The symmetrical facade, typical of classicism, can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Like theatrical masks, buildings like this, with their perfectly balanced windows and orderly arrangement, evoke a sense of harmony and rationality. Consider how the window itself is a recurring motif throughout history. Initially small openings in fortresses, designed for defense, they evolved into larger, more decorative features that signify openness and enlightenment. Much like the eye, the window is a symbol that allows us to see and be seen. The emotional effect of this architectural drawing lies in its aspirational qualities. The viewer feels a sense of longing for stability, order and belonging. The cycle of history continues; such motifs reappear, constantly reimagined, tapping into the timeless human psyche.