Gezicht op de Mauerstrasse met Bethlehemkerk in Berlijn 1776

This engraving shows Johann Georg Rosenberg's view of the Mauerstrasse with the Bethlehem Church in Berlin. The church, with its dome and steeple, is a beacon of faith and community. Churches have always been powerful symbols, evolving through time and cultures. From the ancient temples of Greece to the cathedrals of the Middle Ages, their architectural forms reflect humanity's quest for connection with the divine. The dome, in particular, can be traced back to ancient Roman architecture, representing the heavens and spiritual transcendence. Across cultures, domes have appeared in various forms, from the Pantheon in Rome to the mosques of the Islamic world, each reflecting a unique interpretation of the sacred. This steeple has a psychoanalytic dimension; it acts as a longing to connect with something bigger than ourselves. This eternal quest resonates in our collective memory, engaging our subconscious on a profoundly emotional level. Like a recurring dream, the steeple reappears, carrying echoes of past hopes and beliefs. This constant evolution of symbolic form, in various guises, is a reminder of culture’s non-linear progression and the enduring power of images.