Gezicht op het San Marcoplein te Venetië c. 1850 - 1870

This photograph of the San Marco Square in Venice was captured by Antonio Perini in the 19th century. Dominating the scene are the ancient columns topped with symbolic figures. Note the winged lion, the symbol of Venice, atop one column. Winged lions appear throughout history, from ancient Mesopotamia to the Renaissance, each time embodying power and divine authority. Here, it represents Venice’s strength and its patron saint, St. Mark. Now, consider the columns themselves. Columns aren’t merely architectural; they echo the classical world, a testament to enduring civilization. In Venice, a city built on water, these vertical assertions speak of aspiration, of humanity’s attempt to reach the heavens. This photograph, then, isn’t just a depiction of a place. It’s a stage where symbols perform. The lion, the columns, the very stones underfoot—all whisper of cultural memory. They remind us that even in a floating city, history is anchored deep.