Stage Setting n.d.

This sepia drawing of a stage setting presents an imposing architectural space, dominated by arches and classical figures. These are potent symbols harking back to ancient Roman ideals of order, power, and civilization, revived during the Renaissance. The arches, repeated throughout the composition, create a sense of depth and a rhythmic visual cadence. These architectural motifs echo triumphal arches of antiquity, structures designed to celebrate military victories and imperial authority. The arches symbolize not only physical gateways but also the passage of time and the continuity of cultural memory. We see similar arches in the backdrop of many paintings depicting the Annunciation. Here, the figures are not religious, but classical, highlighting the cyclical nature of symbols. Their reappearance underscores how artistic forms recur, evolve, and are imbued with new significance, reflecting our collective subconscious and the continuous dialogue between past and present.