Gezicht op de Pont Neuf 1874

Alfred Alexandre Delauney captured this view of the Pont Neuf with etching. The bridge, a vital artery of Parisian life, stands as more than mere stone and mortar; it embodies the enduring spirit of connection. Bridges have long served as potent symbols of transition and linkage across cultures, found even in ancient Roman depictions. Here, the arches echo those historical precedents, yet they also speak to the modernizing Paris. The bridge's reflection in the water creates an image of doubling. Think of Narcissus gazing into the pond! This doubling suggests a subconscious yearning for wholeness. The image serves as a reminder that symbols evolve, adapt, and resurface, connecting us to our past.