Panorama vanaf toren Carisbrooke Castle 1859 - 1871

Paul Emile Chappuis captured this panorama of Carisbrooke Castle, focusing on the imposing tower and ruined archway. These architectural elements evoke a sense of time, decay, and historical continuity. The tower, a classical symbol of strength and protection, echoes the Tower of Babel, a primordial architectural hubris. The ruined arch, once a gateway or portal, now frames the landscape. It reminds us of triumphal arches from ancient Rome, re-emerging during the Renaissance. This motif of framed view or passage surfaces in various contexts—a window in a Dutch painting, a theatrical stage, each carrying the weight of collective memory. These echoes resonate within us. This photograph becomes more than a document of a castle. It serves as a powerful conduit, engaging our subconscious on a deep, primordial level. These symbols—the tower and the arch—are in non-linear progression, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.