Interieur van Abdijkerk Rolduc 1852

Alexander Schaepkens rendered this view of the Abbey of Rolduc with ink and watercolor. The architecture looms large, a series of arches creating a tunnel toward an unseen point. The arches themselves, repeated in a sequence, harken back to Roman triumphal arches, symbols of power and dominion. But here, within the context of a church, the arches take on a different significance. They become emblematic of the path to enlightenment, of spiritual passage. The linear perspective draws the eye, creating a sense of depth that invites the viewer into a meditative experience, a visual echo of the soul's journey towards transcendence. This motif of the arch, the passage, is not confined to ecclesiastical settings. It appears in various guises across cultures. Think of city gates, portals to new experiences, or even the simple doorway of a home, promising shelter. The archway continues its silent march through time, carrying with it the weight of expectation, hope, and the promise of transformation.