Gezicht op de Engelse kerk te Rotterdam Possibly 1786 - 1825

Carel Frederik Bendorp's print captures the English Church in Rotterdam, presenting a composition dominated by the church's classical facade. The church, with its pediment and cupola, stands as a symbol of order, authority, and religious stability. Yet, behind it, the Dutch windmill appears – a symbol of industry and the harnessing of nature, which reminds us of the continuous tension and transformation of societal values. The windmill, with its arms reaching to the sky, echoes ancient solar symbols, signifying the cyclical nature of life and energy. This symbol has surfaced throughout different periods in the same ways, reminding us of our collective past. From ancient sun wheels to medieval representations of fortune, the symbol retains a potent emotional charge, engaging the viewer’s subconscious with primal notions of power and fate. The image embodies a collective memory where religious architecture and industrial development intertwine.