Gezicht op de Sorbonne te Parijs 1818

François Louis Couché created this print of the Sorbonne in Paris sometime in the early 19th century. The building's dome, an architectural motif borrowed from religious structures, immediately draws our eye, symbolizing knowledge and enlightenment. This dome reminds me of others throughout history, like the Pantheon in Rome, which was dedicated to all gods but now serves as a Catholic church. It resurfaces in the Renaissance, a period of intellectual revival, and continues to appear, always carrying its inherent symbolism. The act of placing a dome atop an institution of learning is no accident. It represents the aspiration of encompassing universal knowledge, projecting a sense of grandeur and authority. Through these symbols, we unconsciously invest the institution with a psychological weight, further reinforcing its cultural impact.