Gezicht op de citadel van Dinant, gezien vanaf de overzijde van de Maas 1861 - 1870

This photograph shows the citadel of Dinant, its looming presence made more prominent by the skilled manipulation of light and shadow. Dominating the vista, the citadel and church spire are emblems of power, reminiscent of the ‘axis mundi’—a symbolic center of the world. Consider the steeple, an architectural form reaching towards the heavens, akin to the Tower of Babel in its aspiration. The tower motif, prevalent throughout art history, embodies the desire to bridge the earthly and divine realms. Think of the minarets in Islamic art or the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia. The citadel, perched atop the rock, suggests an unconquerable vantage point. It's a potent symbol that evokes a sense of awe, but also of the potential for conflict. This tension is palpable, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, stirring our collective memories of power, protection, and the ever-present threat of domination. Like a phoenix, the enduring image of the citadel continues to resurface across history, carrying echoes of past struggles and triumphs, perpetually evolving in meaning.