Gezicht op de Triomfboog van Orange en het kasteel 1654

This etching of the Triumphal Arch of Orange and its adjacent castle was created by Israel Silvestre. Notice how the arch, a vestige of Roman power, looms large, dominating the landscape. Triumphal arches were originally built by the Romans to commemorate military victories and to celebrate emperors. They are replete with symbolism: the arch itself signifies passage and transformation, while the architectural elements evoke strength and imperial authority. These arches evoke a potent mix of admiration and aspiration across centuries. Consider the Arch of Constantine in Rome, erected in the 4th century, and then the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, commissioned by Napoleon in the 19th century. These arches all share a common thread: the desire to connect with the glory of the past. They are manifestations of a collective memory, echoing through time, constantly reshaped by the present. The triumphal arch is not just a monument; it is a symbol perpetually reborn.