Kloostergang in het Munster van Bazel 1857 - 1892

This photograph by Jakob Höflinger captures a cloister in the Munster of Basel, presenting us with pointed arches and quatrefoil windows, emblems of Gothic aspiration. Consider the wreaths adorning the pillars. Such circular arrangements, often made of leaves or flowers, have ancient roots, symbolizing continuity, eternity, and honor. We find them in classical antiquity, adorning victors and deities, and later adopted within Christian iconography to crown saints and martyrs. Here, they evoke the cyclical nature of life and death, a theme deeply resonant within the sacred space of a cloister. Notice how the wreaths are not merely decorative but serve as powerful visual anchors, drawing our eyes through the space. Like the recurring motifs in dreams, these symbols tap into our collective memory, resonating with deep-seated emotions and archetypal narratives. This visual language transcends time, subtly engaging us in a dialogue with the past. The motif of the wreath reappears throughout the ages, each time carrying echoes of its earlier forms, yet adapting to new cultural contexts.