Gezicht op Rijswijk 1792

This print, made by Theodoor Koning, depicts Rijswijk. The church spire dominates the composition, a symbol that extends far beyond mere architecture. Consider the medieval cathedral—a beacon, piercing the sky and drawing all eyes and minds heavenward. Here in Rijswijk, the spire evokes a similar impulse. It is a constant reminder of spiritual aspiration, anchoring the community to beliefs that transcend the earthly realm. Yet, as the Reformation swept through Europe, spires became lightning rods of religious division. Some were torn down in iconoclastic fervor, while others were adorned with symbols of new denominations. Even in this quiet village, the spire is a symbol of faith, but also of the shifting tides of history and the psychological weight of collective identity. It is a powerful symbol, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. As the eye is drawn to it, the emotional and spiritual undercurrents of the image stir within.