Vuurtoren van Alexandrië 1610 - 1638

Magdalena van de Passe etched the "Vuurtoren van Alexandrië" around the early 17th century, and it presents the lighthouse as a beacon of civilization and knowledge. The tower itself, labeled PHAROS, looms in the background, a clear symbol of enlightenment piercing through darkness. Note how the act of Ptolemy receiving the plans for this grand structure encapsulates humanity's striving for knowledge and progress. The lighthouse reminds me of the Tower of Babel, both monuments to human ambition, yet with vastly different connotations. While Babel represents overreach and divine punishment, the lighthouse embodies a noble aspiration—a desire to guide and protect. Consider how such structures resonate with our collective memory. They tap into our deep-seated needs for guidance, security, and a sense of direction, both literally and metaphorically. This image is a potent symbol of progress, its echoes reverberating through centuries.