Gezicht op cirkelvormige hal voor maisopslag c. 1789

Here we see ‘View of the Exterior of the Halle au Bled’, made by L. Roger sometime between the 18th and 19th centuries. The print, rendered in delicate lines and soft washes of color, presents a circular building framed within an oval. The composition uses the geometry of the circle to emphasize the building's form and function, its circular design promoting the efficient storage of grain. The dome, structured with radial lines, captures the eye, drawing us towards the lantern atop. This focus on structure reduces the visual field to essential forms. Note how the perspective flattens the surrounding urban space, making it seem like the hall exists in a realm of pure geometric order. Roger’s print invites us to consider how architectural forms embody cultural values. It encourages us to reflect on the relationship between function, form, and the semiotic codes that shape our understanding of space.