The capitol c. 1890 - 1900

This photograph by Samuel J. Beckett captures a classical building, likely a capitol, approached by grand steps. The steps, flanked by classical statues, invite a procession, a ritual ascent. These steps evoke the ancient ziggurats and temples of the past, places of both public gathering and private, spiritual experience. Think of the Pergamon Altar, or the Ishtar Gate, where processions marked sacred events and the convergence of the divine and earthly realms. The symbolic resonance of steps persists through time; consider the steps of the Roman temples, or even Renaissance palazzos. This motif becomes a stage for public life, a recurring symbol of power and civic virtue. In each manifestation, the steps prompt a subconscious engagement with the historical weight of community and governance. As you contemplate this image, consider how the architecture speaks to our collective memory, a powerful force that shapes our perception of space and authority.