Twee halve portalen en twee consoles 1578

Johannes and Lucas van Doetechum made this print of two half portals and two consoles, but we don't know exactly when. It shows us architectural details, probably intended to inspire builders. But it also reveals some ideas about social class. In the 16th and 17th centuries, architectural style was closely linked to power and status. Who gets to decide what is beautiful? Who gets to live in beautiful buildings? The clean lines and symmetry of the design reflect the values of the time, as well as a desire for order and control. You can see the influence of classical forms, drawing on a sense of historical precedent to lend authority to the image. The image is carefully composed; we can see the ways in which the institutions of art were involved in shaping taste and reinforcing social hierarchies. As historians, we can look at architectural manuals, design treatises, and social histories to understand the ideas behind this print and how it might have been used and understood in its time. The meaning of art is always tied to its social and institutional context.