Venice from the Riva looking toward the Piazzale San Marco c. 1890

Félix Ziem captured Venice from the Riva looking toward the Piazzale San Marco in an undated oil on panel painting. The domes of the church of San Marco loom on the left horizon. Historically, domes like these have signified not just architectural prowess but also spiritual and celestial connections. Consider the evolution of the dome, from its origins in ancient Roman structures to its prominence in Byzantine churches and Renaissance cathedrals. The dome symbolizes the cosmos, a connection between the earthly and the divine. The semiotics point us to a deeper symbolic language, speaking to the soul's yearning for transcendence. The reappearance of the dome throughout art history highlights our collective unconscious. It speaks to our desire for the sublime, a desire to connect with something beyond our immediate experience. It's a powerful symbol, one that continues to resonate across cultures and centuries.