Gezicht op de Villa Medici 1646

Israel Silvestre etched this "View of the Villa Medici" in the 17th century. Note the columns, those silent witnesses of history. The columns, symbols of strength and stability, are not merely architectural elements; they evoke the grandeur of ancient Rome. We find them in the Temple of Jupiter, then Bernini reinterprets them for St. Peter's Basilica. Each time, their meaning shifts, yet their presence remains a constant echo. The columns' presence connects us to the emotional weight of the past, as well as the longing for permanence, a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. It represents the cyclical progression, how a symbol resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.