Gezicht op Bloemendaal 1762 - 1822

Here we see Hermanus Petrus Schouten’s “View of Bloemendaal,” an etching made in the Netherlands sometime in the late 18th century. The dominant symbol in this view of a Dutch village is the church, whose spire rises sharply, topped by a cross that pierces the sky. The cross, of course, is a potent symbol of Christianity, but its presence here speaks to broader themes. Consider its evolution from ancient solar symbols to instruments of torture and later, emblems of salvation. It reappears throughout art history, from Romanesque crucifixes to modern minimalist interpretations, each reflecting its time’s spiritual and cultural anxieties. The spire and cross signify not just faith but also stability, order, and community, pointing towards a collective subconscious need for spiritual grounding. This symbol’s persistence reveals our continuous search for meaning, constantly reshaped by the currents of history and belief.