Plattegrond van de derde verdieping van Felix Meritis te Amsterdam 1789 - 1799

Editor: Here we have "Plattegrond van de derde verdieping van Felix Meritis te Amsterdam," a print and etching from between 1789 and 1799, by Noach van der Meer. Looking at this detailed architectural plan, I'm struck by its rigid geometry. It feels almost utopian in its precise arrangement of space. What do you see in this piece that I might be missing? Curator: Well, focusing on the historical context is key. Felix Meritis was a society dedicated to Enlightenment ideals – science, art, literature. This floorplan represents not just a building, but an architectural embodiment of those ideals. Think about the French Revolution brewing during this period. What does it mean to design such a rational, ordered space for intellectual pursuits in such a turbulent time? Editor: So the geometry isn't just aesthetic; it's political? Curator: Exactly. Neoclassicism, the artistic movement it’s associated with, with its emphasis on order and reason, was often seen as aligning with revolutionary and republican values. But also, consider who had access to this space. Who were the members of Felix Meritis? What kinds of knowledge and artistic practices were privileged within its walls? This building wasn't just a symbol of Enlightenment ideals, but also of social and intellectual hierarchies. How does knowing it might have political intention changes your first assessment? Editor: That definitely reframes it. The plan seemed so sterile at first, but knowing the social context gives it so much more depth. I hadn't considered that even a floorplan could participate in those power structures. Curator: Precisely. It makes you wonder, doesn't it, about the power of architecture to both reflect and shape society.