Gezicht op het Certosa di Pavia c. 1860 - 1880

Giorgio Sommer captured this view of the Certosa di Pavia on film, presenting us with its striking architecture. The arches and the dome are more than mere architectural elements; they are symbols deeply embedded in our collective memory. The arch, for instance, has appeared across cultures and epochs, from ancient Roman aqueducts to Gothic cathedrals, each time signifying connection, passage, and transition. The dome, reaching towards the heavens, echoes the divine aspiration found in structures like the Pantheon. These forms resonate within us, evoking a sense of the eternal and the sacred. Consider the oculus, that circular opening at the dome's apex, a feature that has evolved from ancient temples to Renaissance churches. It's not just a source of light, but a symbolic eye, watching over humanity, a visual echo connecting us to our ancestors and their spiritual quests. These motifs aren't linear; they resurface and evolve, illustrating how culture perpetually reinvents itself.