Gezicht op het Koninklijk Paleis te Lissabon Possibly 1752 - 1754

This is Robert Sayer’s rendering of the Royal Palace of Lisbon, a colored etching made in the 18th century. Dominating the vista is the palace, front and center, its architecture conveying a sense of enduring power and stability. Consider the prominent dome atop the palace. It evokes the Roman Pantheon, a symbol of imperial authority and divine order. This architectural motif transcends its original context, reappearing throughout history in structures intended to project authority, from cathedrals to state capitols. The dome is not merely a structural element but a potent symbol of collective memory. Its presence in Lisbon echoes its past lives, subtly engaging viewers, drawing on a shared cultural understanding of power and permanence. It reflects a recurring psychological need to legitimize authority through visual cues. This non-linear progression of symbols, from ancient Rome to 18th-century Lisbon, underscores how images evolve, acquire new meanings, and resurface across time.