Het dorp Capelle aan de IJssel 1758 - 1815

Nicolaas Wicart captured this scene of Capelle aan de IJssel in a drawing, using pen and gray ink, sometime around the late 18th century. Observe how the church spire rises distinctively above the thatched roofs. It’s a symbol of spiritual aspiration, echoing the ancient obelisks reaching towards the heavens. That spire is a fascinating symbol, one that doesn't just appear here. Think of the minarets in Islamic architecture, or even the steeples in Gothic cathedrals. These forms all share a common thread: a reaching towards the divine, a connection between the earthly and the celestial. It’s not just about religious expression, but also about our deep-seated human desire to connect with something greater than ourselves. This yearning, woven into the art and architecture across centuries, speaks to our collective unconscious. The spire's presence in this otherwise humble landscape is a potent reminder of this timeless quest, continually reshaped by culture, yet forever pointing upwards.