Gezicht op Genua 1860 - 1870

This is a stereoscopic view of Genoa, captured by Ferrier Père-Fils et Soulier. The scene is dominated by the dense urban landscape stretching towards the sea, a testament to human industry. The composition draws our eye upwards, towards the skyline. Consider the verticality of the city, a motif repeated across cultures in depictions of power and aspiration. Genoa, like the Tower of Babel, strives towards the heavens, representing both human ambition and the potential for divine judgement. We see this striving echoed in the architectural achievements throughout history, from Gothic cathedrals to modern skyscrapers, each bearing the weight of cultural memory and the subconscious desire to transcend earthly bounds. Yet, such elevation invites the inevitable fall, a cyclical pattern reflected in the rise and decline of civilizations. These symbols are not static; they evolve, resurface, and take on new meanings, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level.