Gezicht op het interieur van het Nederlandse deel van de Wereldtentoonstelling van 1885 in Antwerpen before 1885

This print depicts the interior of the Dutch section of the 1885 World Fair in Antwerp. Dominating the scene is a towering structure, possibly a display of goods or products. The tower form itself echoes the ancient ziggurats of Mesopotamia or even the Tower of Babel, symbols of human ambition and attempts to reach the divine. This recalls a collective, almost subconscious, memory of such structures. Think about how the architecture in this image mirrors that of the Colosseum, where the display of imperial authority and wealth was a primal force that engaged its viewers on a subconscious level, instilling awe and respect. Observe how this architectural form reappears throughout history, such as in the tiered displays of wealth in Renaissance festivals. This non-linear progression of the tower form symbolizes human aspiration, a desire to rise above and achieve prominence. It has resurfaced, evolved, and been imbued with new meanings through time.