Gezicht op de voorgevel van het Corvershof te Amsterdam (rechterdeel) 1723 - 1748

This detailed print of the Corvershof in Amsterdam, made by Jan Smit, offers a glimpse into the architecture and society of its time. Above the entrance, note the relief sculpture: figures engaged in what appears to be a charitable act. This echoes the function of the Corvershof as an old men’s home. Such scenes of beneficence are a recurring motif throughout art history. Consider the ancient Roman depictions of emperors distributing bread to the populace, or the Christian imagery of saints performing acts of charity. These images served not only to document but also to idealize and promote the virtues of compassion and philanthropy. The motif of giving, deeply embedded in our collective memory, speaks to a fundamental human impulse: the desire to care for one another. This visual language transcends time, resurfacing in various forms to remind us of our shared humanity.