Viaduc de l'Iser 1860 - 1862

Edouard Baldus captured this image of the Viaduc de l'Iser using photography, a relatively new medium in the 19th century. The bridge, with its arches, evokes a sense of connection and passage, a pathway between two points. The arch as a symbol is ancient, from Roman aqueducts to triumphal arches. It signifies not only structural support but also the bridging of divides, both physical and metaphorical. Consider the psychological resonance of this form; it suggests stability and endurance, yet also movement and progress. We see echoes of this motif throughout history. It is a subconscious desire for connection and continuity, a symbol that continues to reappear, transformed yet fundamentally unchanged. In each iteration, the arch speaks to our enduring need to overcome barriers and connect disparate realms, a testament to our collective memory.