Gezicht op de Sint Vituskerk en de Oldehove in Leeuwarden c. 1720

This engraving by Jacobus Harrewijn depicts the Sint Vituskerk and the Oldehove in Leeuwarden. Dominating the composition are the church and the tower, both adorned with crosses, powerful symbols of faith and spiritual transcendence. Consider the cross, an emblem deeply rooted in human history. Long before Christianity, the cross appeared in various cultures, symbolizing the intersection of the earthly and divine. It's a motif echoed across time, from ancient Egyptian ankhs representing life, to the Nordic sun crosses. In this Dutch cityscape, the cross atop these structures signifies not only religious devotion, but also the cultural identity of the community. The slightly off-kilter tower evokes a sense of unease; a precariousness that reminds us that even the most sacred symbols are subject to the passage of time. Like the Laocoön’s struggle, the tilted tower speaks to the human condition, evoking a deep emotional response as we contemplate the transient nature of existence. The image prompts questions about how these symbols evolve and shift in meaning across generations.