Restauratie van het zuidtransept in de Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek te Maastricht c. 1890 - 1915

This photograph captures the south transept of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek in Maastricht during restoration, revealing an interplay between destruction and renewal. The architecture of the arch, a symbol of transition and passage, is evident. Arches appear in triumphal forms in Roman art, signifying victory and power, or as portals to sacred spaces in Byzantine mosaics. Here, it frames a scene of decay, cracked walls supported by scaffolding. This juxtaposition prompts us to consider the cyclical nature of creation and destruction, a concept deeply rooted in human consciousness. The scene evokes a sense of fragility, yet the arch itself, with its enduring presence across millennia, suggests resilience. Just as the basilica is being restored, so too are our memories and cultural symbols continually revisited, reinterpreted, and reintegrated into our collective narrative. The image invites contemplation on the human capacity for both ruin and regeneration.