Gezicht op de Bank of England, te Londen 1841 - 1885

This view of the Bank of England in London, made by an anonymous artist, shows us how power speaks through architecture. Note the classical columns. These are not merely structural; they invoke the authority of ancient Greece and Rome. Civilizations where concepts of democracy and republic were birthed. Here, they’re reborn within a temple of commerce. This is no accident. Consider how columns appear across history, from the Parthenon to colonial banks. They signify stability, order, and the weight of tradition. Yet, as societies change, their meaning evolves. In the modern context, these columns are more than symbols of democracy, they are also the pillars of a capitalist society that is beginning to take hold. The subconscious effect is potent. The Bank of England, through its imposing façade, aims to project an image of unshakable confidence and power. The cultural memory associated with these classical forms taps into our deepest associations with authority, subtly shaping our perception of this institution and the economic system it upholds.