Gezicht op Ventimiglia before 1862

Here we see a photograph of Ventimiglia, captured by Louis-Alphonse Davanne. The town is perched precariously on the mountainside, a powerful visual motif that echoes the ancient human struggle against the untamed forces of nature. The image evokes the idea of a 'high place', a concept deeply embedded in our collective memory. In ancient cultures, mountains were often seen as sacred sites, places of refuge, or vantage points from which to survey the world. Even today, the act of ascending a mountain can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual or personal growth. The composition and vantage point creates a tension between the precariousness of human endeavor and the solidity of the natural world. This evokes an emotional response as we contemplate our place within the grand tapestry of time. The cyclical progression of human endeavor resurfaces, evolved, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.