Steinbrücke über einen Kanal, im Hintergrund eine Kathedrale, rechts am Haus eine Laterne 

Johannes Huibert Prins created this watercolor and pencil drawing of a stone bridge over a canal, with a cathedral in the background, sometime in the late 18th century. Notice the lantern on the right, a recurring symbol of enlightenment and guidance. Throughout art history, the lantern appears in varied contexts, from ancient Roman depictions of nighttime processions to Renaissance allegories of wisdom. But here, its presence illuminates not just the physical space but also the human spirit, reminiscent of the philosophical fervor of the Enlightenment that swept through Europe at the time. The cathedral in the distance looms large, symbolizing faith and the enduring power of the church. But its softened edges and muted tones suggest a gentle integration into the urban landscape, reflecting the changing relationship between the sacred and the secular. This interplay evokes a sense of historical continuity, where the past informs the present.