Triomfboog van Titus te Rome, Italië 1857 - 1914

Giorgio Sommer captured the Arch of Titus in Rome with his camera. The arch, a symbol of triumph, is the main focus here, a motif that echoes through time. Consider the triumphal arch not merely as stone, but as an idea, a gesture repeated across epochs. It hearkens back to ancient rituals, where victorious armies would parade beneath such structures, a literal and symbolic passage from war to peace, from chaos to order. This motif reappears in various forms throughout history, even in modern architecture. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, for example, serves a similar purpose, commemorating military victories and national pride. Yet, the meaning shifts. What was once a celebration of imperial conquest evolves into a symbol of national unity. The arch, therefore, becomes a potent symbol not just of victory, but also of collective memory. These symbols, deeply rooted in our shared cultural consciousness, evoke profound emotional responses. They are more than mere images; they are vessels of collective memory, resonating with our deepest fears and desires. This continuous thread of symbols—their resurfacing, evolution, and adaptation—reveals the cyclical nature of history.