Voorstudie voor de Eerste Bossche Wand: een zittende magistraat, naar rechts c. 1869 - 1925

Antoon Derkinderen sketched this preliminary drawing of a seated magistrate in the late 19th century. Observe the magistrate's solemn attire, crowned by a high, squared hat, and his hands posed over an open book. This is no mere surface portrayal but a deep dive into the archetypes of authority and knowledge. The figure's attire echoes the robes of ancient lawmakers and judges, linking him to a lineage stretching back to Roman senators. This visual language—the solemn posture, the book, the garments—is designed to inspire trust and convey power. Yet, the very act of depicting authority invites scrutiny. The open book may symbolize transparency, but it also hints at hidden knowledge, accessible only to the initiated. As such, in a world undergoing rapid social change, the symbol of the magistrate becomes an arena where the collective memory and aspirations of a society are negotiated.