Exterieur van de Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal in Antwerpen c. 1870 - 1892

Gustave Hermans captured this image of the exterior of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal in Antwerpen with photography. Notice the spire, it is a beacon, isn't it? Throughout history, spires have symbolized mankind’s connection to the heavens, and here, it is no different. Think of the Tower of Babel, an earlier attempt to bridge the gap between the earthly and divine, or even ancient obelisks pointing towards the sky. These architectural elements echo a fundamental human impulse: to transcend our earthly bounds. The cathedral, with its pointed arches and vertical emphasis, embodies the Gothic aspiration to reach towards God. This impulse, deeply embedded in our collective psyche, resonates with a desire for spiritual transcendence and connection to something greater than ourselves. The image evokes a sense of awe and aspiration. The spire serves as a perpetual reminder of our cyclical quest for meaning and the ways we choose to represent it. It reappears throughout time, constantly evolving, yet always retaining that fundamental upward thrust of the human spirit.