Twee mannen voor een gebouw before 1894

This photograph by Hendrik Herman van den Berg captures two figures set against the stark backdrop of a brick building. The brick, repeated and solid, speaks to a sense of permanence, yet it is softened by the arches above the doorway and window. Note how the figures, despite their stillness, inject a subtle dynamism into the scene. The man stands, leaning slightly forward, while the seated figure's posture suggests a thoughtful repose. Consider how the motif of the arch—a symbol of transition and passage—reappears throughout history, from ancient Roman architecture to Renaissance paintings. It embodies a psychological crossing over. These arches could indicate an emotional threshold. The presence of the figures here engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The cyclical nature of symbols allows them to resurface and evolve, acquiring new layers of meaning as they progress through time.