Gezicht op de Noordmonsterkerk te Middelburg, 1743 1751

Jan Caspar Philips created this etching of the Noordmonsterkerk in Middelburg in 1743. The church, with its towering spire and cross, dominates the composition, a symbol of faith and community in the 18th century. Consider the cross atop the spire, an ancient symbol predating Christianity, found in various forms across cultures, representing the intersection of the earthly and divine. Its adoption by Christianity imbued it with new layers of meaning, yet echoes of its earlier significance persist. This mirrors the psychological process of layering, where new experiences overlay but do not erase older ones. The church, a place of gathering and spiritual solace, has served as a focal point for communities throughout history. It's a reminder of how symbols evolve, carrying echoes of the past while adapting to new cultural landscapes.