Gezicht op de bergketen Libanon 1898

Johannes Lodewijk Heldring captured this view of the Lebanon mountain range on film. The mountains themselves, in their enduring presence, symbolize steadfastness and challenge; they have been venerated across cultures as places of refuge and divine encounter. The most famous example lies in Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments; or Mount Olympus, home to the Greek gods. Each is a place where heaven and earth meet, deeply embedded in our collective memory. The layered ridges in this photograph evoke the laborious efforts of humankind in agriculture, reminiscent of ancient terraces, such as those in Machu Picchu. They remind us of the unending quest to cultivate and tame the earth. Mountains resonate deeply, triggering the human subconscious with an invitation for reflection and an acknowledgment of the timelessness of nature and our connection to it. As we reflect on these images, we are reminded that symbols evolve over time. These forms persist, adapting and reappearing in different contexts, continuously shaping our understanding.