De houten kap van de toren van de Oude Kerk te Amsterdam 1729

Editor: This is "The Wooden Frame of the Tower of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam," an engraving and etching made in 1729 by Hendrik Post. It shows the bare bones, almost, of this very ornate bell tower. It feels very architectural but also kind of fragile… What catches your eye in this image? Curator: Well, darling, it whisks me back to my childhood obsession with dollhouses - that feeling of peering into the inner workings of something grand! Post has gifted us this almost surgical view into the tower’s skeleton. Look how he's used these delicate lines, it's practically a Baroque blueprint made of air. You almost expect it to crumble if you touch it, right? I find myself wondering about the poor soul tasked with maintaining all that dizzying latticework. Editor: Yes! I see what you mean about dollhouses. It does invite that kind of intimate observation. So why create a piece like this—showing the bare structure instead of the completed, grand church tower? Curator: Ah, there's the rub! Think about Amsterdam in 1729 – a boomtown built on trade. This isn't just architecture; it’s about showcasing innovation and skill. Post offers a backstage pass to the Dutch Golden Age, almost saying, "Look what we can do!" The detail suggests pride, a desire to capture the complexity and mastery behind a prominent structure. Do you feel that almost… defiant quality in the lines? Editor: Defiant is interesting... I was initially drawn to its apparent delicacy. Now I see a subtle flex, almost, showing off Dutch engineering. Curator: Precisely! It's both vulnerable and boasting, an intimate secret whispered with pride. Editor: Thanks! I hadn’t really considered that element of pride or "look what we can do", and that is actually pretty interesting to consider.