Gezicht op de stad Madrid Possibly 1752 - 1754

Jean-François Daumont's print presents Madrid with the bridge of Segovia, around 1700. Observe the composition: the bridge is more than just a structure; it’s a symbol, an echo of ancient Roman aqueducts, bearing cultural weight across time. Bridges, in their essence, are liminal spaces, transition points between two worlds. This motif can be traced back through the ages. Think of the "Ponte Vecchio" in Florence, or even older, the Roman bridges, still standing and pregnant with cultural memory. Consider the psychological pull of a bridge. It invites crossing, promising new beginnings. Yet it also evokes anxiety – a step into the unknown. Daumont's bridge isn't merely stone and mortar; it embodies the ever-present human desire to connect.