View of the Sorbonne n.d.

Jean François Janinet's "View of the Sorbonne," captures the grand edifice with its prominent dome, a symbol of knowledge and enlightenment during the late 18th century. This architectural emblem is not merely a structure but a powerful motif that echoes through art history. Consider the dome: it is a form reaching towards the heavens, reminiscent of the Pantheon's oculus, which was meant to connect the earthly and divine realms. From antiquity to the Renaissance and now gracing the Sorbonne, the dome has always signified elevated thought and spiritual aspiration. This pursuit of enlightenment, however, is forever shadowed by the hubris that often accompanies intellectual endeavor. The dome thus serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's complex dance with knowledge, its cyclical rise, and its potential fall. This constant return and reinterpretation of symbols speak to our collective memory, shaping how we perceive power, learning, and our place within the cosmos.