Ruïne van Burcht Rheinfels 1864 - 1909

Cornelia Christina Johanna van Trigt-Hoevenaar made this drawing of the Ruïne van Burcht Rheinfels with pen in ink. Note the arches, repeated throughout, echoing through time. For centuries, the arch has signified not only structural support but also passage, transition, and connection. We see this form in Roman aqueducts, triumphal arches, and church architecture throughout Europe, each instance imbued with its own socio-political and religious meaning. The image of the arch appears to be a symbol of the cyclical nature of history, an echo of the past resonating in the present. These ruins invite us to reflect on the ever-changing nature of human endeavor, a constant state of building up and breaking down, and to engage with our collective memory and the echoes of past civilizations. It reminds us of the emotional weight embedded in visual symbols, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level.