Gezicht op de Kroonenburg en het Oude stadhuis van Antwerpen c. 1663 - 1699

Hendrik Causé rendered this view of the Kroonenburg and Old Town Hall of Antwerp with etching sometime in the late 17th century. Above, the Kroonenburg tower rises, dominating the landscape, which is populated with groups of workers going about their day. Below, we see the Old Town Hall, a symbol of civic pride and authority, its elaborate facade testament to Antwerp's status as a center of trade and culture. Towers, like the Kroonenburg, have long been potent symbols of power, protection, and aspiration. Think of the Tower of Babel, a monument to human ambition, or medieval castle towers, emblems of feudal authority. The tower is a motif that resurfaces throughout history, each time imbued with the aspirations and anxieties of its age. Notice, though, how Causé sets it alongside the Town Hall. Here, the emotional weight shifts: the focus is not only on military might but also on communal governance. It speaks to a deep-seated human desire for order, stability, and collective identity. This image captures a moment in Antwerp’s history, yet its symbols resonate far beyond its time. The enduring motifs echo through generations, subtly shaping our perceptions and desires.