Vijver in een park in Azbakeya, Caïro 1898

Johannes Lodewijk Heldring captured this sepia-toned photograph of a pond in Azbakeya Park, Cairo. The water’s surface, still and reflective, mirrors the row of trees lining its edge, symbols of life and nature’s enduring presence. Think of the 'hortus conclusus', the enclosed garden, a motif recurring across medieval and Renaissance art. It symbolizes purity, peace, and the sacred space, reflecting paradise. Here, the pond and surrounding trees create a similar sense of enclosure. The mirrored reflections double this effect, intensifying the feeling of introspection and sanctuary. Water, reflecting the sky and earth, acts as a liminal space, blurring the boundaries between the real and the mirrored. This invites us, consciously or subconsciously, to ponder the cyclical nature of life and existence. Such imagery taps into our collective memory, triggering a deep-seated emotional response—a longing for tranquility and harmony within the natural world.