Labastide du vert 

Henri Martin captured Labastide du Vert with oil on canvas, presenting a landscape dominated by the town’s church. The church tower and bridge are more than mere architectural elements; they stand as enduring symbols of stability and connection, reaching back through centuries. The motif of the bridge, arcing gracefully over the water, is deeply embedded in our cultural memory, reminiscent of the Pontifex Maximus—the bridge-builder—of ancient Rome, who held the sacred duty of connecting the earthly and divine realms. Similarly, the church tower is a kind of bridge as well. It evokes the ancient ziggurats, reaching skyward to facilitate communication with the heavens. These symbols transcend mere functionality, engaging our subconscious with potent, primal narratives of connection and transcendence. These archetypes resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, connecting us to the past and shaping our collective psyche.