S. Stefano Rotondo in Rome 23 - 1828

Friedrich Maximilian Hessemer sketched S. Stefano Rotondo, a church in Rome, capturing its circular form and the rhythm of its arches. The circle, or rotunda, is one of the most ancient symbols, representing wholeness, the cosmos, and the divine. Think of the Pantheon, also in Rome, with its oculus open to the heavens. This shape transcends cultures; from the yurts of Central Asia to the medicine wheels of Native America, the circle signifies unity and eternity. In Christian architecture, it symbolizes the eternal nature of God. Notice the repetition of arches, each echoing the form of a gateway. In Roman times, arches were triumphal, markers of victory and power. Here, they invite entry, promising spiritual passage. The circle and the arch together create a space ripe with historical and spiritual meaning, where the subconscious mind finds connection to centuries of human experience.