Gezicht op het parlementsgebouw van Québec before 1894

Jules-Ernest Livernois captured this view of the Parliament Building of Québec in a photograph, using a technique popular at the time. Notice the towering central tower and symmetrical façade of the building, a testament to the power and order of governance. These are not merely architectural elements; they echo motifs of strength and stability found in the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia, structures designed to impress and inspire awe. The concept of a centralized tower as a symbol of authority is an ancient one. Consider the Tower of Babel, an archetypal image of ambition and communication. Here, the Parliament Building uses a similar vertical thrust to project an image of centralized power, but with the added layers of democratic ideals. This image is a modern echo of ancient aspirations, a compelling example of how symbols persist and transform across time.