Waterpoort in Alkmaar van binnen gezien c. 1831 - 1835

This is Jan Arnoldus Maria Willem Lesage ten Broek's rendering of the Waterpoort in Alkmaar, crafted with delicate lines and shading. The scene is dominated by the architecture of the water gate itself, and the bridges that define it. These bridges, recurring motifs throughout history, from ancient Roman aqueducts to Venetian canals, have always been a symbol of transition, connection, and the flow of life itself. Think of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, a testament to commerce and continuity, or even older, the Pont du Gard. Observe how the arches mirror those found in triumphal arches of antiquity, structures erected to celebrate victory and power, suggesting that even a water gate can symbolize a city’s strength and prosperity. The image invites us to contemplate not just the physical structure but the stories, memories, and the collective human experience that it embodies. These enduring symbols remind us of the non-linear, cyclical progression of history.