Zicht op de Notre-Dame van Parijs 1843 - 1844

Philippe Benoist created this print of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in the 19th century. Its façade is dominated by the rose window, a striking symbol with a rich past. The rose window echoes the ancient Roman oculus, a circular opening that allowed light and air into temples. Transformed in the Christian context of the Notre-Dame, it became a wheel of fortune and a symbol of divine light. This motif transcends time and place, appearing in gothic cathedrals all over Europe. The rose window, originally a symbol of imperial power, was reinterpreted to channel the glory of God, and became a vessel of faith. It is through the persistence and transformation of such symbols that we glimpse the complex layers of cultural memory. This is a visual echo that resonates through centuries, reminding us of the perpetual dance between past and present.