Twee details van Hotel Frère-Orban in Luik, België before 1893

This photogravure by Römmler & Jonas captures two architectural details of the Hotel Frère-Orban in Liège, Belgium. The symmetry and balance in the Neoclassical facade speak to an enduring human desire for order and harmony. Notice the prominent arches above the doors and windows. The arch, a symbol of stability and transition, has been with us since antiquity. We see it in Roman aqueducts, Gothic cathedrals, and Renaissance palaces. It is a constant presence across cultures, embodying protection and passage. These architectural elements are not just stone and design; they are vessels of cultural memory. Consider the psychological impact of such structures. The imposing facades and symmetrical arrangements evoke feelings of permanence, reinforcing societal values and the power of institutions. They are not merely buildings, but powerful symbols of civilization itself. This image, therefore, invites us to reflect on the enduring human need for structure and meaning, mirrored across time and space.