Kanaal in Venetië 1895

This etching, "Kanaal in Venetië," was created by Philip Zilcken in the late 19th or early 20th century. The scene is dominated by the campanile, its cross reaching towards the heavens, a symbol of faith and civic pride. Consider how such towers, reaching for the divine, echo throughout history. From the Tower of Babel, a testament to human ambition, to the minarets of Islam, these structures represent a bridge between the earthly and the celestial. Yet, the cross atop this Venetian tower also whispers of a darker history. Once a symbol of sacrifice and redemption, it evolved through the ages, becoming entwined with power, politics, and conquest. Here, in Venice, it's softened by the city's unique, dreamlike atmosphere, the reflection of the buildings in the water creating a blurred and ethereal quality. In this watery mirror, the city and its symbols are constantly changing, adapting, and being reborn.