Port-En-Bessin, La Vieille Tour 1884

Paul Signac captured this scene of Port-En-Bessin using oil on canvas. Notice the old tower perched atop the hill, a silent sentinel overseeing the village. Towers, throughout history, have served as symbols of power, protection, and observation. This tower echoes the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia or the watchtowers of medieval Europe, each a testament to human ambition and the need for security. But it's not just about physical defense; the tower embodies a psychological yearning for higher understanding. It represents the desire to transcend the mundane, to reach a vantage point from which we can survey our lives and the world. Think of the Tower of Babel, a narrative deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, or the towers in Tarot cards that represent sudden, disruptive change leading to enlightenment. Here, Signac presents a structure that is still, solid, and a testament to enduring human presence. The tower is a powerful reminder of our perennial quest for stability amidst the ever-changing landscape.