Rechtszaal in het Paleis van Justitie in Brussel, België before 1894

This anonymous print depicts the courtroom in the Palace of Justice in Brussels, evidencing the enduring power of architectural symbols. Here, the design evokes a specific emotional response through the imposing symmetry and neoclassical motifs. Consider the use of columns and the elevated platform, reminiscent of ancient Roman forums. These elements, far from being mere decoration, speak to a deeply ingrained human desire for order and justice, harking back to societies where law was divinely inspired and publicly administered. These architectural gestures reappear throughout history in spaces designed to awe and command respect, such as parliamentary buildings and religious structures, becoming charged with the weight of collective memory, subtly influencing behavior. The motifs of power in architecture evolve, yet the fundamental psychological impact remains, engaging us on a subconscious level. Thus, this courtroom is more than a physical space, it is a stage upon which the drama of law unfolds, imbued with the symbols of authority, designed to influence all who enter.