Versierde stadhuis, 1751 1751

This black ink drawing of the decorated town hall in 1751 is by an anonymous artist. The symmetrical structure of the building draws the eye upward with a tower centered on the roof and topped with a weather vane, flag and spire. The building's facade is adorned with statues, detailed window treatments, and evenly spaced decorations that suggest a precise, orderly world. Yet, this image is more than a simple architectural record, as the arrangement of elements and the artist's emphasis on symmetry hints at an underlying code of civic pride and order. The repetitive shapes of the windows and roofline, combined with the structured facade, imply a deeper meaning of stability and civic harmony. This representation challenges any singular reading, inviting us to consider the work not just as a depiction but as a complex symbol that reflects and shapes cultural values.