Exterieur van een paleis van de zilesultan in Teheran c. 1880 - 1895

Antoine Sevruguin captured this palace exterior in Tehran with a camera, freezing a moment rich with cultural echoes. The facade is adorned with complex motifs, circular patterns that draw the eye. Consider these circles not merely as decoration, but as cosmic symbols, echoing the sun and the celestial sphere. They mirror similar designs found in ancient mandalas and Byzantine mosaics, each a reflection of the human yearning for order and the infinite. Notice how these circular forms evoke a sense of continuity and cyclical return, a concept deeply embedded in our collective memory. Their presence here is a powerful reminder of how symbols transcend time, reappearing in new guises, yet retaining a vestige of their original, emotive power. They engage us on a subconscious level, connecting us to the past while reflecting the cultural values of their present. These motifs resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.