Gebouw van de Bank of England aan Threadneedle Street in Londen 1870 - 1881

This albumen silver print shows the Bank of England on Threadneedle Street in London, captured by Francis Godolphin Osbourne Stuart. Note the imposing neoclassical facade, a style evoking the grandeur of ancient Rome. Its columns, weighty and severe, are not merely architectural supports, but symbols of stability, power, and enduring strength. These recall the stoic temples of antiquity, where similar columns upheld not only roofs but also the weight of empire. Consider how this architectural language has been passed down through history. The column, originally a sacred symbol, has been secularized and recontextualized to represent institutions of power. This echoes the cyclical progression of symbols, resurfacing and evolving in response to shifting cultural needs. The Bank of England, through its architecture, aligns itself with this lineage, striving to convey security and historical continuity.