Gezicht op de Sint-Pauluskerk in Luik 1866 - 1870

This photograph, captured by Jules Hippolyte Quéval, presents the Sint-Pauluskerk in Liège, its spire reaching high above the urban landscape. The spire, a motif stretching back to antiquity, symbolizes not only the ambition of human architecture but also serves as a profound connection to the divine. Consider the Tower of Babel, a primeval symbol of humanity’s attempt to reach the heavens. The church spire, viewed through a psychoanalytic lens, is a recurring manifestation of this deep-seated aspiration. It embodies a reaching for enlightenment, a tangible expression of the intangible desire to connect with the spiritual world. This striving is not merely religious; it touches upon our collective memory, our inherent yearning for understanding and transcendence. The spire, piercing the sky, creates a powerful psychological impact. It is a visual echo resonating through centuries, a symbol continually reshaped by culture and belief.