Gezicht op restanten van de Basilica in Pompeï c. 1860 - 1900

Giorgio Sommer captured this photograph of the Basilica's remnants in Pompeii using an albumen print. The standing fluted columns are dominant visual symbols of power, law, and order. The Basilica, as a Roman public building, was a space where legal and official matters were conducted. The column motif extends beyond its architectural function; consider its presence in ancient Egyptian temples, where columns symbolized strength and stability, supporting not just the roof but the entire cosmos. Over time, the column has resurfaced, evolving into various forms. In medieval cathedrals, they reach towards the heavens, embodying spiritual aspiration. The persistence of the column speaks to a deep-seated human need for structure and support, both physical and metaphorical. This cyclical progression illustrates how symbols constantly resurface, adapting to new contexts and imbuing themselves with fresh significance.