Ontdekte vensters in de Pieterskerk te Leiden 1895

This photograph shows rediscovered windows in the Pieterskerk in Leiden. The bars across the windows, stark against the light, immediately bring to mind confinement and restriction. The image of bars has long held a potent place in our visual lexicon. We see echoes of this motif in medieval grilles protecting sacred spaces, or even further back, in the latticework of ancient Roman windows. But it’s not merely physical obstruction that these bars represent; they touch upon something deeper within the human psyche. Consider how the image of a caged figure appears in dreams, symbolizing suppressed desires or unrealized potential. This primal fear of being trapped, of having one's freedom curtailed, is a recurring theme in art across cultures. Even in abstract art, we can feel its emotional residue in the harsh lines and rigid structures that evoke constraint. This photograph serves as a potent reminder of how deeply ingrained these symbols are.