Bas-reliëf aan de kerk van Saint-Gilles-du-Gard 1852

Charles Nègre captured this photograph of a bas-relief on the church of Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, immortalizing its intricate stone carvings. At the forefront, the continuous meander pattern, or Greek key, wraps around the scene, a motif that has echoed through time, gracing ancient Greek pottery and Roman mosaics alike. This emblem is not merely decorative; it embodies the eternal flow of life, a labyrinthine journey. We can see that this pattern re-emerges in medieval architecture, symbolizing the twists and turns of spiritual paths. Such recurring visual symbols, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, act as conduits between generations. They trigger primal responses, engaging viewers on an unconscious level. The meander, in its endless repetition, evokes the eternal human quest for meaning.