Exterieur van het gebouw op Boulevard du Nord 108 te Brussel 1875

This albumen print by Alexandre de Blochouse captures the facade of a building on Boulevard du Nord in Brussels around 1875. Here, the arches and fenestration, repeated across its levels, speaks to a rising faith in modernity and order. The arch, a motif stretching back to ancient Roman triumphal arches, has long symbolized power and passage. We see echoes of this form in Renaissance portals and even in the prosceniums of theaters, each iteration imbued with the weight of history and the subtle insinuation of authority. The repetition here amplifies this effect, creating a rhythm that soothes the eye while subtly reinforcing a sense of stability. Consider how such forms influence our subconscious. Just as the arch invites passage, these architectural choices shape our understanding of progress and societal advancement. The Boulevard du Nord, with its promise of modern life, is thus framed within a lineage of symbols that speak to our deepest aspirations for order and prosperity.