Drie gedecoreerde eikenhouten steunpilaren van de hoofdingang van het stadhuis van Brussel, België before 1880

These are photographs of three decorated oak pillars from the main entrance of Brussels' Town Hall. Carved in the late fifteenth century, these pillars feature small sculptures, each carrying echoes of earlier artistic traditions. Consider the human figures adorning the pillars. These forms, reminiscent of classical statuary, appear throughout Renaissance art. We can see the persistence of classical ideals, subtly interwoven with Christian and local symbols. This deliberate juxtaposition reveals a culture grappling with its historical identity, adapting classical forms to express contemporary values. These pillars are not mere decoration; they are powerful cultural symbols, reflecting a society's collective memory. The enduring appeal of these images—the blend of classical form with Christian narrative—speaks to our inherent need to connect with the past, to find familiar forms that resonate with our shared human experience.