Tekstblad uit Architectura von den funf Seuvlen (...) 1610

This is a page from Gabriel Kramer’s *Architectura von den funf Seuvlen*, a book of architectural designs, undated but created before 1611. It’s a broadside, a single sheet printed with text, in German Fraktur. The rigid columns and their classical proportions mirror the social hierarchies of Kramer’s time. Architecture was not just about building, but about reinforcing a worldview. This text, describing the Corinthian order, reflects the period’s emphasis on order, proportion, and classical ideals, elements considered essential for a harmonious society. The text refers to the column as a 'Jungfrawenzier', a virgin’s adornment which serves as a telling metaphor. Consider how gendered language, like this association of architecture with virginity, was used to prescribe societal roles and expectations. How does this relate to the experience of women in Kramer’s time? Although seemingly technical, this page invites us to consider the cultural values embedded within architectural principles. This broadside is a reminder that even the most structured forms reflect the complex and often biased perspectives of their creators.