Gezicht op het nieuwe Muntgebouw aan de Werderschen Markt, te Berlijn 1800 - 1804

Peter Haas created this print of the new Mint Building on Werderschen Market in Berlin. The monochromatic tones and precise linework immediately evoke a sense of ordered clarity and the formal ideals of the era. The print’s composition emphasizes the architectural structure of the Mint Building itself, a solid, imposing edifice that dominates its surroundings. Haas has meticulously rendered the building's facade, paying close attention to the symmetry of its windows and the classical details of its design. This attention to detail serves to highlight the building's rational structure, embodying Enlightenment values of order and reason. The building’s solidity is juxtaposed with the lively market scene in front of it, filled with human figures engaged in commerce and daily life. This contrast invites contemplation on the relationship between the abstract order of institutions and the messy vitality of lived experience. Haas’s work offers a fascinating glimpse into the visual culture of the late 18th century, revealing how architectural forms were used to communicate ideas about state power and social organization.