Gezicht op de Waag op de Nieuwmarkt, Amsterdam 1760 - 1800

Hermanus Petrus Schouten etched this view of the Waag on Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam in the 18th century. The Waag, prominently displayed, stands as a central symbol of civic life and mercantile exchange. Its architecture, reminiscent of medieval fortifications, speaks to a time when trade was not just an economic activity but a guarded right. We find similar structures across Europe, from guildhalls in Bruges to market squares in Florence. Each building serves as a locus for community identity, embodying the spirit of its city. Consider the tower itself—a phallic symbol against the sky. This is an archetype of human ambition, reaching towards the heavens, and a testament to our collective will to build and organize. The image draws us in, unconsciously reminding us of our own aspirations, and the structures we create to house our communal dreams. The Waag is not just stone and mortar; it is a repository of cultural memory, ever-evolving, ever-present.