Gezicht op gracht en weeshuis in Den Haag before 1867

This lithograph depicts The Hague’s orphanage by Huib van Hove Bz. The orphanage looms large, its architecture solid and imposing, symbolizing the city’s commitment to care, or perhaps, societal control. Note the tower crowned with a cross; a beacon of hope, or a stark reminder of the intertwined relationship between charity and religious authority. The cross, a symbol that transcends its religious origins, is a recurrent image found in different settings and purposes throughout the ages. Think of the protective function of the cross in medieval heraldry, or the more abstract concepts of sacrifice and redemption represented in countless works from the Renaissance onward. Here, it adds another layer to the emotional depth of the image, engaging with our collective memories and stirring a powerful sense of hope and compassion that connects us to past generations.