Gezicht op een zuilengalerij en een obelisk op de World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 1893

Charles Dudley Arnold captured this vista of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, featuring an obelisk standing proudly amidst a colonnaded structure. The obelisk, an ancient Egyptian symbol representing the sun god Ra, speaks of power, immortality, and resurrection. Consider how this symbol, originally erected to honor pharaohs and gods, transcends its origins. Obelisks have resurfaced time and again, from Roman appropriations to their prominent placement in European and American cityscapes. It is no coincidence that they evoke a sense of timeless authority. The colonnade, with its rows of pillars, echoes classical architecture, reminiscent of temples and forums. Such structures serve not only as architectural support but also as visual representations of order, stability, and cultural continuity. The architecture of the exposition taps into a collective memory of past empires, evoking a sense of grandeur and permanence. The symbolism is a statement of ambition, reflecting the psychological desire to assert cultural dominance.