Gezicht op de Arc Héré te Nancy before 1896

This black and white print, titled ‘Gezicht op de Arc Héré te Nancy’, captures a regal architectural structure. The composition, dominated by the arch, employs a symmetrical arrangement that emphasizes balance and order. A formal approach reveals how the image's structure influences its meaning. The arch itself is rendered with meticulous detail, from the grand columns and ornate carvings to the statuary atop the structure. The use of light and shadow creates depth and texture, allowing a tactile appreciation of the stone's materiality. This careful construction illustrates the symbolic function of arches in classical architecture as emblems of power, triumph, and civic pride. Moreover, the picture can be seen as a sign. In a semiotic analysis, the arch serves as a signifier of a culture's values and aspirations. It challenges the viewer to examine the codes of representation and the construction of meaning in visual culture.