Gezicht op het stadhuis van Den Haag before 1880

This photograph captures the Stadhuis of Den Haag, though the artist remains anonymous. The image is dominated by strong vertical lines, most notably in the tower, which creates a soaring effect that draws the eye upwards. This emphasis on verticality, combined with the alternating horizontal bands on the tower, gives a sense of structured growth and stability. The building is sharply defined with strong tonal contrast. The interplay between light and shadow accentuates the architectural details, highlighting the three-dimensional aspect of the facade. In the context of formalism, the composition’s structured arrangement of lines and geometric shapes—windows and horizontal courses—can be seen as a visual language. The meticulous architectural detailing and the deliberate arrangement of forms not only reflect aesthetic choices but also hint at the social and philosophical ideas about order and progress.