Vista de Lisboa - Tejo e topo do arco da Rua Augusta 

Carlos Botelho painted this scene of Lisbon, the Tagus River, and the Rua Augusta Arch in a style that beautifully captures the city’s sun-drenched atmosphere. Here, the palm tree emerges as a striking symbol. In ancient Egypt, the palm was associated with immortality and triumph, often depicted in funerary art. Over time, it journeyed through cultures, becoming a symbol of peace and victory in the Roman Empire. The early Christians adopted it to represent the victory of the spirit over the flesh, often associated with martyrdom. Observe how Botelho has brought the palm to Lisbon, where it evokes a more secular feeling: a symbol of leisure, vacation and escape that speaks to the subconscious desire for warmth. Isn't it fascinating how a single symbol can carry such diverse, yet connected meanings across time and space, resurfacing and adapting to new cultural landscapes?