Drie zuilen van de Toscaanse, Dorische en Ionische orde 1630 - 1685

Johann Christoph Feinlein created this print, "Three Columns of the Tuscan, Doric, and Ionic Order," in the 17th century. During this era, Europe's artistic and intellectual landscape was dominated by the Renaissance and the burgeoning Baroque movement, emphasizing a revival of classical forms and ideals. This print showcases the meticulous study and codification of classical architectural orders. Columns, in their symbolic form, upheld the patriarchy both literally and figuratively in society. They represented power, stability, and order, but also exclusion of the other. Feinlein’s detailed engravings reflect the period's obsession with structure, proportion, and the belief in a rationally ordered universe. The image evokes a sense of admiration for classical antiquity, yet the very act of standardizing these forms also hints at the desire to control and define cultural values. This print therefore acts as a time capsule, revealing how past societies tried to frame their world in stone, while also shaping the narratives of those within it.