The Paris Omnibus 

Maurice Prendergast captured the bustling streets of Paris in this vibrant watercolor, a scene dominated by the iconic omnibus. This horse-drawn carriage, a symbol of modern urban life, carries its passengers through the heart of the city. Note how the large wheels are more than just a part of the vehicle. From the wheel of fortune to the circles in mandalas, such circular shapes, like the Ouroboros, have appeared across cultures and ages. These are symbols of cycles of life, unity, and completion. In Prendergast's painting, the wheels set the pace for city life. The ceaseless movement of the omnibus mirrors the ever-turning wheel of time, subtly reminding us of the constant flow and flux of modern existence. The omnibus appears here as a fleeting moment captured in paint, and invites us to reflect on the symbols that shape our understanding of the world. These wheels remind us of the recurring patterns that connect us to both past and present.