Gezicht op de eetzaal in renaissancestijl van het huis van mevrouw Minnaert in Brussel, België before 1898

Here we see a photograph of Madame Minnaert's Renaissance-style dining room in Brussels. Observe the prominent fireplace, its carved details reminiscent of ancient triumphal arches, meant to inspire awe and recall the grandeur of past civilizations. This motif of the hearth, the heart of the home, extends far back into antiquity. It echoes in the Vestal Virgins of Rome, guardians of the sacred flame, their vigil a symbol of the state's perpetual life. The chandelier above, with its many arms reaching out, evokes the menorah, symbolizing divine light and knowledge. Consider how the glow of candlelight has historically served as a beacon of domestic warmth and spiritual illumination, often charged with hope and nostalgia. This symbolism, laden with emotion, remains a potent force. These visual echoes remind us that even in the domestic sphere, we are haunted by symbols, forever bound to the cultural memory embedded deep within our collective consciousness.