Church of St. Pierre, south side, Caen before 1865

This photograph by Joseph Cundall captures the south side of the Church of St. Pierre in Caen. The most striking feature is the spire, reaching upwards. Its height is not merely architectural; it symbolizes aspiration, a reaching towards the divine. The spire, as a visual motif, connects to obelisks of ancient Egypt, symbols of the sun god Ra, reborn in countless Christian churches, as a silent, towering assertion of faith. This pointed form transcends cultures. Think of the Washington Monument, its form speaking to notions of power, progress, and historical continuity. This visual echo through time reveals our collective, perhaps subconscious, urge to reach upwards and connect with something beyond the earthly realm. The photograph captures not only a building but also a recurring symbol, transformed and adapted across centuries.