West- en zuidgevel van Cathédrale Notre-Dame in Parijs c. 1880 - 1900

This photograph, captured by Louis Antoine Pamard, presents the west and south facades of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The rose window, a prominent feature, dominates the composition; its intricate, radial design symbolizes divine light and perfection, drawing from ancient cosmological diagrams. The rose motif, however, is not unique to Gothic cathedrals. We see echoes of it in ancient sun disks, mandalas, and even the patterns of certain flowers. This symbol transcends time, reappearing across cultures and epochs, each instance imbuing it with new layers of meaning. It has a profound psychological resonance, tapping into our collective memory of wholeness and harmony. Notre-Dame, with its soaring spires and intricate carvings, serves as a testament to human aspiration and spiritual longing. This image engages us on a primal level, evoking feelings of awe, reverence, and the relentless, cyclical progression of human artistic expression.