Opstand van de façade van een gebouw c. 1864

This careful drawing of a building facade comes to us from the hand of Willem Springer Jr. Note the rhythmic repetition of windows, each a portal hinting at the lives within. It suggests a quest for order, a human desire to structure and control the world around us. This pattern echoes in Roman architectural designs, where symmetry and proportion symbolized power and stability. The facade is a mask, concealing inner spaces and individual narratives. This recalls the classical concept of the "persona," a role or identity that we present to the world. In psychoanalytic terms, this facade serves as a defense mechanism, a way to manage perceptions and protect our vulnerable inner selves. The building presents a calm exterior, but what dramas unfold behind those windows? What secrets do these walls hold? The persistence of these symbols demonstrates our continued need for structure and order as we project a sense of control over our inner lives.