Gezicht op de Römerberg in Frankfurt am Main 1879

Johann Kaspar Eissenhardt's rendering of the Römerberg in Frankfurt, though undated, presents a bustling tableau of 1700s civic life etched in meticulous detail. The Römerberg, a central square, is the focal point, teeming with figures that bring this mercantile hub to life. Dominating the scene is the Justitiabrunnen, the Fountain of Justice, where a statue of the Roman goddess Justitia stands, scales in hand. We see Justitia mirrored across eras, from ancient Roman coins to Renaissance allegories, her blindfold symbolizing impartiality. Yet, the statue’s placement amidst the quotidian hustle raises questions about justice in action. The market square itself, with its flurry of activity, evokes ancient forums and medieval marketplaces—arenas for exchange but also for the unfolding dramas of human interaction. The gabled houses encircling the square, with their timber frames, hearken back to a rich architectural legacy. Eissenhardt captures not just a place but a moment in the continuous unfolding of history, echoing patterns and symbols that resonate across time.