Op het overheerlyk nieuw gebouw voor de roomschgezinde weesmeisjes, staande te Amsterdam op 't Spui 1715 - 1813

This print, depicting the Roman Catholic Orphanage on the Spui in Amsterdam, was created by the heirs of widow Cornelis Stichter. The print’s linear precision emphasizes the orphanage's facade, drawing our attention to the architectonic structure and the interplay of light and shadow. The building's rigid symmetry and geometric arrangement evokes a sense of order and stability. The horizontal lines of the building's floors are balanced by the vertical rhythm of the windows. This creates a visual framework that invites a reading of the building as a symbol of institutional care and protection. Consider the semiotic implications of this architectural representation. The building is more than just a physical structure; it is a signifier of the values and societal structures of its time. The emphasis on order and symmetry could be interpreted as a reflection of the era's desire for social harmony. This print captures a moment in time, freezing it for interpretation and re-interpretation.