Gezicht op het gebouw van de Treasury, te Londen 1841 - 1885

This is an anonymous view of the Treasury building in London. Notice how the architect employs classical motifs: the evenly spaced windows and the horizontal emphasis that mimics the structure of ancient temples. This recalls the Renaissance, when such forms were revived. Columns and pediments—symbols of reason and order—were not merely architectural details, but a deliberate invocation of the past to legitimize present power. We see this in various historical contexts, such as the revival of classical forms during the Roman Empire, where temples and public buildings echoed Greek architectural principles to symbolize continuity and cultural legitimacy. Consider the psychological need for humans to find stability and authority in established forms, especially during times of uncertainty or change. The return to classical forms in architecture serves as a powerful anchor, linking the present to a revered past, providing a sense of order and permanence. This timeless dialogue between past and present shapes not only our buildings, but also our collective memory and sense of cultural identity.