Residentie van München, Duitsland 1868

This stereo photograph by Charles Gaudin captures the Munich Residenz, a symbol of Bavarian power. Dominating the structure are the arches, repeating along the facade. These forms echo the architectural language of ancient Rome, evoking ideas of imperial authority and order. The arch, a motif deeply embedded in our collective memory, appears in triumphal monuments and sacred spaces across cultures and time. Think of the Roman aqueducts, the gates of Ishtar, or even the curved entrances of early Christian basilicas. This shape, which has spanned centuries, resonates with notions of transition, passage, and protection. We feel it viscerally. In the Residenz, the arches create a rhythmic cadence, an illusion of infinite space and a sense of enduring strength. This photograph shows us how architectural symbols persist, adapting to new contexts, yet still carrying the weight of their historical and psychological resonance.