Fantasy based on Vatican: Sistine Chapel, Loggia (identification by James S. Ackerman) (recto); A Lion (verso) 1600 - 1700

This pen and ink drawing presents an evocative architectural fantasy inspired by the Vatican. Dominating the scene, we see the dome, ancient columns, and obelisk, symbols of power and knowledge deeply rooted in both pagan and Christian traditions. Note the obelisk, its origins tracing back to ancient Egypt as a symbol of the sun god Ra, later adopted by the Romans, and then integrated into the heart of the Vatican, a testament to the syncretic nature of cultural memory. Similarly, the dome, initially a Roman architectural feat, became a symbol of heaven in Christian architecture. Think of the Pantheon, its oculus open to the sky, or the Hagia Sophia, its dome a physical manifestation of divine presence. These architectural motifs, once pagan, transformed and re-emerged in Christian contexts. They carry with them a palimpsest of cultural meanings, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, evoking feelings of awe, authority, and the sublime. They show us the cyclical progression of symbols, forever resurfacing, evolving, and accruing new layers of meaning across time.