Gezicht op de toren van de Sint-Michaëlskerk te Oudewater c. 1828 - 1897

Adrianus Eversen sketched the tower of the Sint-Michaëlskerk in Oudewater, likely in the 19th century. Even in this simple study, the tower embodies more than just architectural design; it evokes a deep, emotive response tied to its historical and cultural significance. The tower, as a symbol, carries a history far beyond its physical presence, echoing the Tower of Babel and other structures reaching for the divine. In this church tower, we see an iteration of human ambition and spiritual aspiration. Towers, in art and architecture, often serve as visual metaphors for the bridge between the earthly and celestial realms. Consider how similar architectural aspirations appear in Gothic cathedrals throughout Europe. The subconscious draws us to these structures not merely as buildings but as conduits of collective yearning, a deep-seated desire to connect with something beyond our immediate grasp. This tower is an axis mundi, a symbol that resonates through time, connecting us to centuries of human endeavor and spiritual quest.