Gezicht op de Korenbeurs te Amsterdam Possibly 1710 - 1766

This print, made by an anonymous artist, shows the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. Look at the columns of the building. The classical columns represent order, rationality, and stability—values deeply cherished during the rise of mercantile society. Yet, these are the very same elements that appear in ancient Greek temples, symbols of a civilization that laid the foundation for Western thought. Now, consider how the column has been appropriated in various contexts, from triumphal arches celebrating military might to the facades of banks promising financial security. The symbolic resonance of the column lies in its enduring ability to represent a stable foundation. It taps into a deep-seated psychological need for structure and reliability. This is perhaps why we are drawn to images that evoke this sense of order, even as the world around us changes. The column, therefore, is not merely an architectural element but a vessel of cultural memory, its form echoing through the ages, each time inflected with new meanings.