Interieur van de Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Sint-Pieterskerk te Gent c. 1822 - 1844

Henri Borremans made this print depicting the interior of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Sint-Pieterskerk in Gent sometime in the early 1800s. The architecture, with its rhythmic arcades and soaring dome, speaks of humanity's attempt to reach the divine. The arches themselves are a potent symbol. We find them echoed through the ages—from ancient Roman aqueducts to Gothic cathedrals—each time signifying a bridge between earth and the heavens. In this church, the arches frame our view, guiding us toward the altar, the focal point of spiritual communion. Consider how this motif reappears in Renaissance paintings, where arches often frame sacred figures, bestowing upon them a divine aura. This recurring symbol taps into a deep, collective memory. The arch represents not just structural support but also psychological support, offering a sense of stability and passage through life's trials. It’s a timeless symbol, endlessly resurfacing in our art and architecture, each time carrying echoes of its past lives.