Untitled (bridge over Tiber River) c. 1857

This photograph captures a view of the Tiber River with the Ponte Sant'Angelo, Castel Sant'Angelo, and St. Peter's Basilica, encapsulating Rome’s layered history. Bridges, like this one, serve not just as physical connections, but as potent symbols of transition and mediation between worlds. Notice the Castel Sant’Angelo, originally Hadrian's mausoleum, transformed over centuries into a papal fortress. This transformation reminds us of the enduring human desire to repurpose and imbue ancient forms with new meanings. Think of the Winged Victory, once adorning pagan temples, reborn as Christian angels atop similar structures. The bridge itself echoes motifs found in ancient Roman art and architecture, resurfacing during the Renaissance and beyond. Each arch, each stone, whispers of continuity and change, evoking a powerful emotional and psychological resonance, engaging us in a dialogue between past and present. This non-linear progression and cyclical resurgence is how symbols evolve.