Gezicht op de Leys zaal in het stadhuis van Antwerpen, België before 1898

This photograph by G. Choppinet captures the Leys zaal in the stadhuis of Antwerpen, Belgium, a space imbued with symbols of civic pride and historical memory. Note the prominent fireplace crowned with heraldic crests. These emblems, repeated throughout the hall, are not mere decoration; they're potent symbols of power, lineage, and the enduring spirit of Antwerp. Consider how such emblems have echoed through time, from the family crests of Renaissance Italy to the national symbols adorning modern flags. Though contexts shift, the underlying impulse remains: to visually assert identity and belonging. Here, these crests invite us to contemplate the layers of history embedded in this room, a space where decisions were made and destinies shaped. The very architecture and placement of these symbols elicit a collective memory engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. These symbols reveal how collective memory and subconscious processes affect the production and interpretation of images. These crests are a testament to the cyclical nature of symbols, their capacity to resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across different epochs.