Gezicht op de San Frediano in Pisa 1889 - 1893

Johanna Margaretha Piek captured this image of San Frediano in Pisa, focusing on the church's façade, an architectural embodiment of sacred space. Consider the semi-circular arches: recurring motifs in Romanesque architecture, these shapes aren’t merely structural. They echo the heavens, suggesting divine protection, drawing parallels to the arch of the covenant and the rainbow after the biblical flood. These arches are a visual language repeated throughout history, from ancient Roman aqueducts to Renaissance cloisters. Each time, they resurface, carrying traces of their past, yet adapted to new cultural needs. The façade invites reflection on the cyclical nature of architectural and religious symbols, and evokes the yearning for transcendence and connection to the divine. It's a powerful reminder of how symbols persist, evolving and echoing through time.