Achteraanzicht van het Stadhuis te Amsterdam 1696 - 1706

This is an ink drawing of the rear of Amsterdam's Town Hall by an anonymous artist. The façade of the building is rendered with a focus on symmetry and balance. The structure is neatly divided into horizontal levels, each defined by rows of windows and architectural detailing. The lines are precise, giving the building a sense of order. The symmetry of the building suggests stability, yet, the lack of perspective creates a flattened effect, disrupting traditional depth and representation. Each element is carefully placed, contributing to an overall sense of calculated composition. The drawing can be understood through structuralist principles where the building is made up of distinct units arranged to convey a sense of power. It challenges the conventional ways of seeing space, inviting us to reconsider how architecture represents and embodies ideas of authority and social order.