Gezicht op het stadhuis te Gent 1851 - 1870

Henri Borremans created this image of the Ghent Town Hall using etching, capturing a structure laden with symbols of civic pride and historical continuity. The Gothic architecture, with its pointed arches and ornate carvings, evokes the medieval period, a time of flourishing urban life and communal identity. Dominating the scene is the tower, a motif that stretches back through history, from the Tower of Babel to the fortified citadels of the Renaissance. It represents not only architectural prowess but also the aspirations of a community reaching for the heavens, embodying power and permanence. Notice the repetition of vertical lines, creating a rhythm that both stabilizes and elevates the building's presence. Such visual devices tap into our collective memory, stirring emotions of awe and respect. Like palimpsests, these symbols are continually rewritten, adapting to new contexts while retaining echoes of their past. The tower persists through time, an archetypal form embodying humanity's endless quest for power and understanding.