Gezicht op een brug in Sint-Petersburg c. 1850 - 1880

Albert Felisch captured this view of a bridge in Saint Petersburg using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. The bridge itself, an emblem of connection and passage, is a potent symbol. Bridges have long served as more than just physical structures. They embody the idea of transition, linking different realms or states of being. In ancient mythologies and religious art, bridges often represent the journey from the earthly to the divine, a motif that surfaces time and again across cultures. One can think of the Bifröst in Norse mythology, a bridge of fire connecting Midgard, the world of humans, to Asgard, the realm of the gods. Here, the bridge's solid architecture juxtaposes with the fluid water beneath, creating a visual tension that echoes our own internal negotiation between stability and change. This contrast engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, reminding us of the constant flux that characterizes life. The image is a testament to how symbols persist, evolve, and resurface across time, continually shaping our understanding of the world.