Gezicht op de binnenplaats van het St. Anna Gasthuis 1889

Edouard Tyck etched this view of the courtyard of the St. Anna Gasthuis, capturing a scene imbued with symbolism. The courtyard, typically a sanctuary, here becomes a stage for the interplay of light and shadow, with the architecture looming over a lone figure. Consider the young woman; her garb is evocative of those who served within the hospital. The institution's dedication to Saint Anna—herself a maternal figure—links the space to ideas of nurturing and refuge. Yet, her solitary presence evokes a sense of abandonment, highlighting the duality of care and isolation that such places embody. The courtyard motif recurs throughout history, notably in Renaissance paintings. This echoes the inherent human desire for enclosed, secure spaces; a theme that surfaces in our dreams, laden with personal significance. Tyck subtly evokes collective memory, prompting us to question what we expect from spaces promising care. The cyclical progression of the symbol reveals the shifting layers of meaning humanity projects onto buildings and institutions.