Place de la Concorde in Parijs before 1840

This print captures the Place de la Concorde, likely made to illustrate a book. Dominating the scene is the ancient Egyptian obelisk, a symbol of power and antiquity, transported to Paris in the 19th century. The obelisk, once a solar symbol in ancient Egypt, found a new life amidst Parisian grandeur. Consider its earlier significance: these monolithic forms, erected to honor the sun god Ra, embody the pharaoh's power and connection to the divine. This contrasts sharply with its later presence in European cities, like Rome, as a signifier of conquest. Here, in Paris, it’s repurposed yet again, now as a secular monument. These shifts in meaning highlight the complex transmission of cultural symbols. They evolve, adapt, and carry new resonance across time, reminding us of the cyclical nature of history and the enduring power of images to evoke profound emotions and memories.