Starý dvor 1923 - 1938

Ľudovít Čordák captured 'Starý dvor' in watercolor, presenting us with a courtyard dominated by an archway. This arch, a universal symbol, signifies transition, passage, and the crossing of thresholds. We see similar arches in ancient Roman triumphal arches, erected to honor military leaders, yet, its humbler form here speaks not of conquest but of domesticity. Think of the arch as a 'leitmotif' throughout history, appearing in religious art as a gateway to the sacred, in Renaissance paintings as a frame through which we glimpse new worlds. Here, the arch invites us into the unknown, a darker space behind the wall, yet its mundane architectural form reminds us of the past's continuous presence in our everyday lives. The courtyard, with its solid walls and stone pathway, evokes a sense of enclosure, a space where private and collective memories intertwine. Like a dream, the image resonates with a feeling of déjà vu, a subliminal echo of experiences lived and remembered. We are unconsciously drawn to this image because of our connection to the archetypal nature of the architecture depicted here. The image is a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level, reminding us of the cyclical progression of symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.