Wiskundig ontwerp voor de fundering van een koepelkerk voor op de Botermarkt te Amsterdam c. 1700 - 1705

Daniël Stopendaal created this mathematical design for the foundation of a domed church in Amsterdam using pen and gray ink. The drawing is dominated by a large circle, within which multiple intersecting circles create a complex, almost floral pattern. Lines form a grid, suggesting depth and volume, transforming simple shapes into three-dimensional spheres. The precision and detail evoke a sense of order and rationality. Here, form transcends mere functionality; the dome, a symbol of the heavens, rests upon a foundation of mathematical certainty. Stopendaal’s work engages with a broader cultural interest in rationalism and the scientific method. The design is a semiotic representation of divine aspiration grounded in earthly knowledge. Notice how the circles interact: overlapping, intersecting and creating new shapes. This interplay challenges fixed notions of space and perspective. It invites us to see the world not as a collection of separate entities, but as a dynamic interplay of forms. This design is not just a blueprint, it's a philosophical statement about the intersection of faith, reason, and human ambition.