Gezicht op Evreux 1657

This watercolor, whose author is unknown, captures a panoramic view of Évreux, a city dominated by its architectural achievements. Dominating the vista are the cathedral spires, which rise skyward like supplicating fingers. These are not mere architectural details but potent symbols, reaching back to antiquity, where obelisks and pyramids served as pathways to the divine. These spires can be viewed as visual echoes of humanity’s endless quest for transcendence. We see this reflected in the Tower of Babel, and even, in a more abstract form, in the reaching limbs of Gothic sculpture. The image is a powerful reminder of our collective memory, echoing through time and cultures. The towers touch a deep, subconscious part of ourselves and elicit an emotional experience of reaching for something beyond our grasp.