Khaju brug of Pol-e Khaju in Isfahan 1843 - 1854

Eugène Flandin created this print of the Khaju Bridge in Isfahan using lithography. The bridge's arches are more than mere architectural features; they carry the weight of cultural memory. Think of the arch as a symbol of transition and connection, a gateway between different states of being. This echoes ancient Roman aqueducts, or even the gates of Ishtar in Babylon; structures that not only served practical purposes but also spoke to mankind’s aspirations for connectivity and order. Across centuries, the arch evolves, yet its essence remains. It's a universal desire to bridge divides, both literal and metaphorical, tapping into our deepest longings for understanding and unity. Just as the arch connects two banks of a river, it also symbolically bridges the past and the future, the known and the unknown. The persistence of such a motif highlights how symbols recur in human expression, carrying collective emotions and unconscious yearnings across eras.