Zuilen van de Dorische orde 1630 - 1685

"Zuilen van de Dorische orde" is an undated print made by Johann Christoph Feinlein, depicting columns of the Doric order. During Feinlein's lifetime in the 17th century, Europe was deeply entrenched in the Baroque era, marked by opulence and grandeur. Yet, as we observe these columns, we witness a simultaneous interest in classical forms. The Doric order, known for its simplicity and strength, stands in contrast to the extravagant Baroque style. Consider the identity imbued in these forms. Columns, historically, were phallic symbols. Their use in architecture often signified power, authority, and a connection to a glorified past. How might the appropriation of these symbols reinforce or challenge existing social hierarchies? What does it mean to revive classical forms amidst a period of religious conflict and social upheaval? Feinlein's print prompts us to consider how the past is constantly reinterpreted and reimagined in the present.