Gezicht in de San Marco, Venetië 1896

René Janssens captured this view of the San Marco in Venice using etching. Here, the arches, recurring throughout the space, serve not only as architectural elements but also as symbolic gateways. In early Christian and Byzantine art, the arch often framed sacred spaces or figures, signifying divine presence or passage. Consider, for instance, the triumphal arches of ancient Rome, repurposed in early Christian basilicas to mark the transition into the sacred space of the altar. The archway reappears through various eras, like portals in Renaissance paintings, beckoning viewers into new realms of thought and spirituality. This visual echo connects the devout congregation of San Marco with a lineage of seekers and believers throughout history. It also provides a sense of orientation, a symbolic path through life. The emotional weight of the image lies in the arches' promise of continuity and the cyclical nature of faith, engaging viewers on a subconscious level with the timeless quest for meaning and connection.