Gezicht op het dorp Princenhage bij Breda 1746

Hendrik Spilman’s etching presents us with a seemingly tranquil view of Princenhage near Breda. Dominating the scene, the church spire rises emphatically, crowned with a cross, a symbol deeply rooted in Christian iconography. The spire is not merely an architectural element; it's a visual echo resonating through centuries. Think of the obelisks of ancient Egypt, their soaring forms also aimed skyward, connecting earthly realms with the divine. The impulse to reach for the heavens, to bridge the gap between man and God, persists. Note how this symbol has evolved. The spire, once a beacon of faith, now shares the skyline with secular structures, each vying for attention, reflecting a society where spiritual and material aspirations coexist. These symbols tap into our collective memory, stirring subconscious longings and anxieties about faith, community, and our place in the cosmos.