Karel V laat een klooster bouwen, 1555, nr. 8 1614 - 1710

This engraving by Cornelis Boel shows Charles V ordering the construction of a monastery. The scene is dominated by the architectural design, held by the architects, and the figure of Charles V, who embodies authority and vision. Notice how the act of pointing, as seen with Charles V directing the construction, is a recurring motif throughout art history. This gesture isn't merely about giving directions; it's a primal act of imprinting will upon the world. Consider similar instances from antiquity to the Renaissance – a pharaoh commanding laborers, a Roman emperor dictating terms – each echoes this fundamental assertion of power. Such gestures tap into a deep-seated psychological need for order and control. The architectural plan becomes more than just blueprints, it embodies the projection of power and the desire to inscribe one's legacy. The act of building, therefore, carries a potent emotional weight. This symbol resurfaces and evolves to take on new meanings in differing historical contexts, in a cyclical progression through time.