Riviergezicht 1739 - 1804

Johann Andreas Benjamin Nothnagel etched this river view in the 18th century, a scene dominated by the tranquil flow of water and framed by nature's architecture, a kind of 'horror-filled Arcadia'. Observe the natural stone bridge, an archway that recalls ancient Roman structures, portals connecting one space to another. These forms echo through time. Think of triumphal arches, symbols of victory and transition. In Nothnagel's print, this natural arch is more nuanced, perhaps suggesting passage, but also the sublime power of nature itself. The bridge becomes a recurring dream, an archetype of cultural memory. Across eras, arches have appeared, carrying meanings of triumph, connection, and the unknown, each iteration colored by its own time. This image engages us on a deeper level, resonating with collective memories embedded in our subconscious. The natural stone bridge, in its cyclical journey, continues to emerge, transformed yet familiar.