View of Paris, with the Hôtel de Ville and the Tour-Saint-Jacques 1886

This sketch by Vincent van Gogh captures the essence of Paris with the Hôtel de Ville and the Tour Saint-Jacques rendered in strokes of brown pencil. Dominating the skyline, the Tour Saint-Jacques rises, evoking a sense of aspiration and a connection to the divine, much like the obelisks of ancient Egypt. In the cityscape, the chimney stacks billow smoke into the air, reminiscent of sacrificial smoke ascending to the heavens in ancient rituals. Across time and cultures, smoke has symbolized transformation, transcendence, and the ephemeral nature of existence. Here, the black smoke speaks to a transformative power, a blend of the sacred and the profane, reflecting the complexities of urban life. This juxtaposition engages viewers on a primal, subconscious level, reminding us of the cyclical nature of civilization, where ancient symbols resurface and evolve, carrying the weight of history into the present.