Gevel van het Weeshuis te Gouda 1866 - 1868

Here we have Isaac Gosschalk’s sketch of the Weeshuis in Gouda, a freehand exploration rendered with pencil on paper. Note the prevalence of spiral motifs adorning the architectural details. The spiral, an ancient symbol, evokes the cyclical nature of time and the continuous unfolding of life, deeply resonant in the context of an orphanage, a place of new beginnings and the hope of continued existence. This symbol appears throughout history, from the Minoan labyrinths to Celtic art, each time carrying connotations of growth, evolution, and the journey of the soul. Consider how the spiral echoes in the subconscious, reminding us of our origins, of birth and the ceaseless turning of fate. In its curves, we find both comfort and a reminder of life's unpredictable path. It is a symbol that invites contemplation, urging us to reflect on the patterns that shape our existence, patterns that, like the spiral, forever turn back upon themselves, creating an eternal dance of past, present, and future.