Gezicht op de Abdij van Saint-Gilles bij Luik 1738 - 1744

This print presents a bird’s-eye view of the Abbey of Saint-Gilles near Liège. At the top left we see a heraldic crest. These devices, laden with symbols of power and identity, were once a crucial language for understanding social hierarchies. The Abbey itself becomes a symbol—a fortress of faith and knowledge, reminiscent of ancient citadels. Note how the buildings huddle together. We might recall similar protective arrangements in medieval cityscapes, where physical proximity meant safety and community. This visual echoes a deep-seated human need for shelter. But observe the smoke rising in the distance, a direct signal of life, an offering to the gods. Like the smoke that curls from sacrificial pyres in ancient Greece, it represents a connection between the earthly and the divine. The smoke becomes an ambivalent signifier. Is it progress, or a warning? Symbols such as these carry within them a collective memory, a subconscious echo of humanity's enduring quest for meaning. The image is part of an ever-turning wheel, returning us to fundamental human experiences across the ages.