Gezicht op Hotel des Galeries op het Gevers Deynootplein in Scheveningen after 1884

Andries Jager captured this view of the Hotel des Galeries in Scheveningen with photography. Notice how the repeating arches create a rhythmic pattern, drawing the eye across the facade. The arch, as a symbol, resonates deeply within the collective psyche. Think back to the Roman triumphal arches, gateways for victorious emperors, or the arched portals of cathedrals, promising spiritual transcendence. The arches here suggest a similar promise: a gateway to leisure, pleasure, and perhaps, even transformation. This architectural motif reappears across time, each instance echoing its predecessors, yet adapting to its present. The arch has been passed down through history, shifting in meaning. It is an interesting psychological effect, a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Consider the non-linear progression of this symbol, how it has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.