Altaar in de vorm van triomfboog before 1716

Jean Lepautre etched this altar in the shape of a triumphal arch. Triumph, power, and reverence converge here in the architectural symbols of arches, columns, and statues. The structure is adorned with wreaths and figures, motifs linked to victory and honor since ancient times. Consider the wreath, initially a simple garland. In ancient Greece, it crowned athletes and heroes, evolving into a symbol of Roman imperial authority. Here, it frames the altar, suggesting sanctified triumph. This motif reminds us of its cyclical journey, its transformation from laurel leaves to emblems of power and virtue. It’s a silent carrier of collective memory, engaging our subconscious through its embedded cultural and historical meanings. Even today, we instinctively understand its association with achievement and reverence.