Portaal in de Toscaanse orde 1593 - 1595

Wendel Dietterlin created this engraving, “Portaal in de Toscaanse orde,” during a time of significant cultural and artistic change. Dietterlin, living in the late 16th century, was part of the Northern Renaissance, a period marked by a renewed interest in classical forms, yet infused with a distinctly Northern European sensibility. This portal, with its imposing Tuscan order, reflects the era’s fascination with classical architecture. The image embodies the period's attempts to reconcile classical ideals with contemporary aesthetics. Dietterlin’s work can be viewed as a product of his time, influenced by the shifting intellectual and artistic currents that were reshaping Europe. Consider how such architectural designs might have been perceived then – as symbols of power and order, accessible only to the elite. Dietterlin’s print allows us to reflect on the intersection of art, power, and society during the Renaissance, inviting us to consider whose stories are told and whose are left out.