Lighthouse of Marseille 

Pericles Pantazis captured this scene of the Lighthouse of Marseille with oil paints, immortalizing a beacon of guidance. The lighthouse, a stoic sentinel, stands prominently against the hazy horizon. Throughout time, this symbol of light has appeared repeatedly, guiding not just ships, but also souls through treacherous waters, both literal and metaphorical. Think of the Pharos of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders, or even the simple candles lit in temples. The lighthouse is a motif with pagan roots—the cult of the god Poseidon had fire beacons associated with it—that was later re-purposed into Christian imagery. The Virgin Mary is often referred to as the "guiding star," a clear example of cultural memory at play. Consider the primal fear of darkness and the unknown, and the lighthouse emerges as a powerful, subconscious symbol of hope and safety. It speaks to our deepest needs for orientation, reassurance, and a sense of direction in an often-chaotic world. The enduring image of the lighthouse attests to our cyclical quest for light and meaning, constantly resurfacing in our collective consciousness.