Gezicht op Saint Paul's Cathedral te Londen gezien vanaf de noordwestzijde 1753

This print of Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, made by Robert Sayer, captures more than just a building; it encapsulates the enduring symbol of faith and resilience. The Cathedral, with its imposing dome, is a clear nod to classical architecture, reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome, a structure initially dedicated to pagan gods that was then transformed into a Christian church. Notice how the dome, a symbol of the heavens, rises above the city, echoing similar motifs in Renaissance paintings where domes symbolized divine power and authority. The gesture of reaching towards the sky is not new; it’s an archetypal expression of humanity’s yearning for the transcendent, found in the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia and the pyramids of Egypt. The cathedral's presence evokes a collective memory, a subconscious echo of past aspirations and beliefs. It’s a cyclical progression of symbols, continually resurfacing and evolving.