Gezicht op Huis Stoopenburg, 1730 1750 - 1792

Hendrik Spilman created this view of Huis Stoopenburg in 1730 using etching. Note the weather vane atop the tower. This emblem, a distant cousin to the Roman aquila, or eagle, has a storied past. Originally, it was a pagan symbol of vigilance and power, later repurposed by Christianity, often fashioned in the shape of a rooster atop church steeples to symbolize faith and watchfulness. Consider, too, the deeper psychological implications. The weather vane, ever-changing with the wind, mirrors our own susceptibility to external forces, a constant reminder of impermanence. From ancient Rome to the Dutch countryside, these symbols evoke shared emotional and cultural memories, a non-linear progression, constantly evolving and reshaping our understanding of the world.