Gezicht op de Tour de Nesle en het hôtel de Nevers 1630 - 1661

Claude Goyrand etched this view of the Tour de Nesle and Hôtel de Nevers around 1662. The tower looms large, a symbol of power and fortification, reminiscent of ancient strongholds. But look closer: this is no mere architectural record. The tower, an emblem of strength, has roots stretching back to the Tower of Babel, an archetype of human ambition and hubris. Throughout history, towers have represented both protection and isolation. Consider the fairytale Rapunzel trapped in her tower, or the biblical Tower of David, a testament to faith. Over time, these structures evoke the complex interplay between aspiration and confinement that resonates in our collective consciousness. Observe how the arches of the bridge mirror the curves of the river. The bridge is more than a pathway, it is a symbol of connection, an emotional span between the self and the world. These images are not static, but alive, evolving through history, engaging our deepest fears and desires.