Bolton Priory. The Stepping Stones 1850s

Joseph Cundall captured this image of Bolton Priory with the stepping stones. The river, a powerful symbol in art, is often associated with the passage of time, transformation, and the boundary between life and death. Consider the ancient Greeks, who saw rivers like the Styx as a crossing into the underworld. This symbolism appears again and again, from the waters of baptism signifying spiritual rebirth, to the cyclical flow representing life's journey. The stepping stones offer a path, a carefully constructed sequence that promises safe passage across this dynamic force of nature. This deliberate ordering echoes the human need to control and navigate the unpredictable, reflecting a deep-seated psychological desire for mastery over our environment and our destinies. These motifs are not static; they evolve, acquiring new layers of meaning with each retelling, each re-envisioning. The river persists as a symbol of constant change and renewal, flowing through our collective consciousness.