Temple Bar from The Strand, plate 22 from Original Views of London as It Is 1842

Thomas Shotter Boys rendered "Temple Bar from The Strand" with watercolor and graphite, capturing London's bustling street life. Dominating the scene is the Temple Bar itself, an archway adorned with classical figures. This architectural element is not merely a structure; it is a symbol, a gateway, and a marker of transition. Throughout history, arches have served as triumphal entries, as seen in Roman monuments. Yet, here, the figures and structure suggest more than secular triumph; they echo the symbolic weight of religious portals, hinting at a passage into a realm of law, commerce, and civic duty. Consider the arch as a motif recurring in various contexts, each time carrying the weight of its original intent. The arch appears in ancient city gates and cathedrals. The echo of this carries into Boys' depiction of London, a testament to the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols.