Aussicht vom Turm von St. Martin in Landshut 

Karl Ballenberger’s delicate pencil drawing captures a view from the tower of St. Martin in Landshut. Dominating the foreground is the tower's structure, adorned with spherical finials – symbols that extend beyond mere decoration. Consider the orb atop the tower: it speaks of aspiration, of reaching towards the celestial. This echoes in ancient depictions of emperors holding globes, signaling dominion, or in Renaissance art where the orb signifies divine authority. The circle, an emblem of wholeness and perfection, appears in the railing as well. Such symbols, repeated across cultures, tap into our collective unconscious. Observe how Ballenberger uses the tower not just as a viewpoint, but as an emotional anchor. It’s a silent witness, projecting a sense of stability, of continuity, amidst the transient world below. This piece exemplifies how symbols, laden with historical weight, continue to resonate, engaging viewers on a profoundly human level.