Album met stadsgezichten en landschappen in Frankrijk en Italië door Perelle after 1650

This album, showcasing cityscapes and landscapes of France and Italy, was compiled by Nicolas Perelle in the 17th century. While the exterior binding might seem simple, it represents a vessel containing a series of images. These landscapes, typical of the period, feature classical ruins and pastoral scenes, carrying echoes of Arcadia, representing the longing for an idealized past. This yearning is a recurring theme, found even in ancient Roman art. The act of collecting and compiling images into an album carries its own symbolism. It speaks to our deep human need to document, remember, and create order out of the chaos of existence. It mirrors the "memory palace," a tool used since antiquity, to organize and retain knowledge. Like the "memory palace," this album represents a personal universe, showcasing the enduring power of images to evoke emotions, trigger memories, and connect us to the past. It's a timeless dance between the individual and collective unconscious.