Gezicht op het eiland Nonnenwerth before 1865

This photographic print of Nonnenwerth Island was made by Francis Frith. The island, anchored by its monastery, becomes a powerful symbol of sanctuary and spiritual retreat. The monastery architecture—its towering spires and solid walls—echo symbols of stability and divine connection. Notice how the body of water around the island acts as both protection and separation, reflecting the contemplative life within. Such insular structures remind us of similar motifs in illuminated manuscripts and Renaissance paintings. Take, for example, Fra Angelico’s depictions of the monastery of San Marco in Florence, a place for contemplation, study and artistic creation. Here, Nonnenwerth exists outside the frantic pace of the world, much like a medieval cloister. In the collective memory, these island retreats touch upon a deep desire for peace and isolation, resonating emotionally with our own yearning for stillness amidst life's storms. This cyclical progression, the surfacing of the island sanctuary motif, takes on new meanings in each historical context.