Gezicht op de Nieuwe Kerk te Amsterdam c. 1906 - 1923

This quick sketch of the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, captured by George Hendrik Breitner, may seem simple, yet it holds the weight of centuries. The church, its spire reaching skyward, is not merely a building. Consider its presence: a beacon in the urban landscape, a symbol of spiritual aspiration. Its form echoes similar structures across Europe, each striving to connect the earthly with the divine. The spire, in particular, has roots stretching back to ancient obelisks, phallic symbols piercing the heavens. Think of the Tower of Babel, and the human ambition—or hubris— inherent in such constructions. Even in this sketch, Breitner captures the psychological impact of the church. It provokes a sense of awe, of reaching for something beyond our grasp. The collective memory embedded in such symbols engages us on a subconscious level. The church, the tower, the spire—these forms are not static. They reappear, evolve, and take on new meanings, reflecting the changing tides of human history.