Reproductie van een ontwerp en een reproductie van een plattegrond van een kerk in Wevelghem, België, door Pierre Nicolas Croquison before 1893

Editor: This print from before 1893 shows a church in Wevelghem, Belgium, designed by Pierre Nicolas Croquison. The architectural rendering has a striking bird’s eye perspective. What's interesting to me is how geometric it feels; it looks very measured, rational. How do you see it? Art Historian: Indeed, the geometric rendering stands out. Look closely at the visual construction of both the facade and the floorplan. Notice the distinct sections and divisions of space, vertically and horizontally. Do these sections, with their variations in size and shape, evoke any particular associations or deeper symbolic significance for you? Editor: Hmm, well the floorplan looks like a… like a body laid out! With the rounded area for the head and the long part forming the body? Is that on purpose, like symbolizing the body of Christ, maybe? Art Historian: Precisely! That visual metaphor, connecting the church to the human form—particularly within a sacred context—resonates powerfully. Churches as cruciform structures echo the form of the cross and Christ’s sacrifice. Considering the historical context, think about the power and influence of the Church in Belgian society before 1893. The architecture itself acts as a symbol of spiritual authority and divine order. Editor: That makes so much sense! I was focused on the visual style itself, the precise lines and shapes. I hadn’t connected it with broader symbolism, which is now obvious, I think. Thanks! Art Historian: It reveals how cultural memory and continuity express themselves through architectural and graphic conventions, influencing perceptions, belief, and identity even now. A visual language shaping cultural identity.