Plattegrond van het Minderbroedersklooster te Amsterdam, 1578 1729

This is a plattegrond, or floor plan, of the Minderbroedersklooster in Amsterdam, created in 1578 by an anonymous artist. The composition is dominated by a symmetrical layout, a visual representation of the monastic order that dictated life within these walls. The central courtyard, around which the cloister is arranged, echoes the Roman forum, a space for gathering and discourse. This is an archetype of the human need for communal space. Notice how the gardens are compartmentalized. These small, organized gardens evoke the Garden of Eden, a motif for spiritual purity and order. The image is a fascinating study in spatial and spiritual organization, reminding us how symbols persist, are reinterpreted, and continue to influence our collective consciousness. This ordered, compartmentalized space invites a deeply human need for structure, where the motifs resonate with our deepest subconscious.