Reliekschrijn van de Heilige Barbara 1857 - 1859

This is a sketch by Pierre Cuypers for the Reliquary Shrine of Saint Barbara. The architectural elements here are prominent. We see turrets and spires reminiscent of medieval cathedrals, symbols of the divine reaching towards the heavens. The wheel, often associated with Saint Barbara's martyrdom, is a recurring motif, connecting us to her legend. Yet, this wheel also evokes the cyclical nature of time and memory. It is a symbolic carrier of cultural memory, constantly turning and bringing forth echoes of the past. It reminds me of similar motifs used across cultures, such as the wheel of dharma in Buddhism, each bearing its own weight of cultural and spiritual significance. The choice of these symbols isn't arbitrary; they tap into a collective unconscious, resonating with deep-seated beliefs and emotions. The reliquary serves not just as a container for sacred relics but as a vessel of powerful visual symbols.