Reproductie van een ontwerp van zijaanzicht en een reproductie van een ontwerp van een dwarsdoorsnede van een museum, door Jean-Jacques Winders before 1893

This is a reproduction of an architectural design for a museum by Jean-Jacques Winders, rendered by Römmler & Jonas. We see both a side elevation and a cross-section, allowing us to imagine the museum in its totality. It was common in the 19th century to illustrate architectural designs in this way. This particular museum design reflects the values of that period. The grand scale and classical motifs suggest a desire to create a space for civic pride and cultural education. In the Netherlands at this time, there was a growing interest in establishing institutions to preserve and display art and historical artifacts. Museums were seen as vital for shaping national identity and promoting enlightenment. This image, therefore, gives us insight into how such institutions were envisioned and the role they were expected to play in society. To fully appreciate the museum's social context, further research into Dutch cultural policies and architectural trends of the 19th century would be beneficial. Only then can we understand the building’s intended public role and its place within the history of museums.