City gate in Oberwesel 

Peter Becker captured this city gate in Oberwesel with pencil and watercolor. The gate stands as a potent symbol of passage. Historically, city gates like this were not merely entrances; they were defensive structures, controlling movement and embodying civic identity. They resonate with ancient Roman triumphal arches. These arches symbolized military victory and imperial power, underscoring how architectural forms carry symbolic weight across millennia. Here, the multiple arches receding into the distance invite the eye, suggesting layers of protection and the transition from the outside world to the safety within the city walls. We see a physical manifestation of the psychological boundary between known and unknown, safety and danger. This visual language is powerful, engaging our subconscious understanding of protection and transition. Even now, it stands as a silent sentinel, a reminder of the cyclical nature of history and the enduring power of architectural symbols to evoke emotions and ideas.