Koepeldak c. 1916

Here we see Reijer Stolk’s sketch, seemingly a casual study of a domed roof. While unassuming, this simple dome carries echoes from antiquity to the Renaissance. The dome, a motif we find in Roman temples and Byzantine churches, symbolizes the heavens, divinity, and order. Think of the Pantheon's oculus, open to the sky, or the celestial mosaics adorning Byzantine domes, reflecting a divine presence. Stolk's dome recalls these architectural symbols, which evoke spiritual aspirations. This shape is not simply a structural element, but a vessel carrying centuries of symbolic weight. Observe how the Renaissance, too, embraced the dome, as seen in Brunelleschi’s Florence Cathedral. Here, the dome signifies human ingenuity, a rebirth of classical ideals, and a reaching towards the divine. Stolk's sketch invites us to contemplate the transmission of ideas across time, connecting our subconscious to ancient aspirations. The dome: a form that continues to inspire and resonate.