Porch, Old Custom House, Wall Street 1905

Charles Frederick William Mielatz made this etching of the Old Custom House on Wall Street, with its imposing columns, evoking the temples of ancient Greece. These pillars are more than mere architectural features. They invoke classical antiquity, projecting an image of stability, reason, and democratic ideals. Yet, if we look back to ancient Egypt, we see similar columns supporting grand temples, symbols of power and divine authority. This motif appears and reappears throughout history, constantly shifting in meaning. The Custom House wants to associate itself with the virtues of ancient republics, but perhaps subconsciously, the viewer may remember older, more autocratic civilizations. Here, the architectural vocabulary speaks to our collective memory, stirring emotions tied to both freedom and control, reflecting the complex nature of power itself.