Trappenhuis van het Palais des Tuileries te Parijs c. 1860 - 1871

This photograph by Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy captures the stairwell of the Palais des Tuileries, revealing a space marked by grand columns and symmetrical design, emblems of power and authority. Consider the staircase itself, a motif tracing back to ancient ziggurats and Roman amphitheatres. Staircases are not merely architectural features; they symbolize ascent, hierarchy, and the journey from the earthly to the sublime. In the Renaissance, the grand staircase became a stage for aristocratic display, mirroring the theatricality of power. The arches, repeated throughout the structure, act as portals. These shapes appear across cultures and eras, from ancient Roman aqueducts to Gothic cathedrals, and they reflect the human desire to transcend physical boundaries and connect with something greater than oneself. This photograph captures more than just a space; it evokes the psychological weight of historical continuity.