Gezicht op Ruhla c. 1870 - 1890

This is a photograph of Ruhla by R. Höfel, capturing the town nestled in its valley. The churches command attention, their spires reaching skyward like symbolic anchors to the divine. These spires remind me of obelisks in ancient Egypt, which also symbolized a connection between earth and the heavens, between the mortal and the eternal. Consider, too, the archetypal role of the village. Throughout countless paintings, tapestries, and illuminated manuscripts, villages symbolize community, security, and the interconnectedness of life. This is a recurring image deeply etched in our collective memory. It is an unconscious longing for a simpler, more communal existence, a theme that resonates through the ages. The arrangement of buildings evokes a sense of intimacy and shared experience, reflecting an inherent human desire for belonging. Notice how such visual motifs persist through time, echoing and evolving, carrying layers of meaning from one era to the next. They subtly shape our understanding of the world and our place within it.