Gezicht op een straat met een ereboog in Fribourg 1897

Ernest Lorson’s photograph captures a street in Fribourg, dominated by a triumphal arch. This architectural motif, inherited from ancient Rome, symbolizes victory, honor, and imperial power. Notice how Lorson’s image echoes the arches erected for returning emperors, laden with symbols of conquest and authority. The arch’s presence here suggests a continuity of power, adapted to a new context. In ancient times, the arch served as a physical and symbolic gateway. It marked transitions, celebrated achievements, and reinforced the social order. This photograph suggests a similar function, framing the street as a stage for civic pride and communal identity. The collective memory of Roman triumphs subtly informs our reading of this modern scene, evoking a deep-seated human need for symbols of order and achievement. This arch is more than mere stone; it is a vessel carrying centuries of cultural and psychological weight, resurrected in a new guise.