Details van de Djinguereber-moskee te Timboektoe en het huis van Sidi Abdallah Chebir 1830

This print from an unknown date by François Louis Couché presents a meticulous study of architectural forms. The composition is divided into distinct sections, each offering a different perspective on the Djinguereber Mosque in Timbuktu and the house of Sidi Abdallah Chebir. Notice how Couché uses line and form to create a sense of depth and structure. The mosque is rendered in a way that emphasizes its geometric simplicity, while the accompanying diagrams provide insight into the building's layout and decorative elements. These elements—the mosque's facade, its floor plan, and the stylized motifs—function almost as linguistic components. This representation invites us to consider how architectural designs serve as signs within a cultural context. It challenges fixed notions of architectural representation, prompting a reflection on how buildings communicate ideas about space, culture, and identity.