Santa Maria della Salute, Venice 

William Leighton Leitch captured Santa Maria della Salute in Venice with watercolors. Dominating the canvas, the dome rises, a symbol deeply rooted in religious architecture, reminiscent of ancient Roman cupolas. It speaks of heaven and divine protection. The dome echoes across cultures, from the Pantheon to the Florence Cathedral, each iteration a testament to humanity's enduring quest for spiritual transcendence. Think of the Hagia Sophia, where the dome embodies the cosmos, a vault mirroring the heavens. In Venice, built after the plague, the dome represents salvation and hope, a plea for divine intervention in times of crisis. Notice how Leitch captures the light on the dome, its curves evoking the womb, a place of safety and rebirth. This motif, repeated across time, stirs something profound in our collective unconscious. Santa Maria della Salute's dome is not just architectural; it is a cultural echo, constantly reshaped by history and experience.