Gezicht op het Rokin en de Doelensluis in Amsterdam 1868 - 1875

Andreas Theodorus Rooswinkel captured this view of the Rokin and Doelensluis in Amsterdam with a camera, fixing light and shadow to paper. Dominating the scene is the church tower, a vertical axis mundi, its clock a constant reminder of the relentless passage of time. The tower, crowned with an orb, resonates with ancient symbols of power and celestial order. This recalls not only Christian traditions but also echoes pagan symbols of sun worship and earthly dominion. Notice how this symbol of the orb, seen atop the tower, can be traced through history, appearing on royal scepters, globes, and even in cosmological diagrams. It is a visual echo, resonating from antiquity, symbolizing the cosmos and the power to rule it. The enduring presence of the orb atop the tower invites us to consider how symbols persist, adapt, and are continuously reinvested with new layers of meaning. They exist not in linear time, but circulate, constantly resurfacing in different forms, reminding us of the intricate web of cultural memory.