Gezicht op de kathedraal van Toulouse 1832 - 1900

Adolphe François Pannemaker's "View of the Cathedral of Toulouse" captures the cathedral's imposing presence through detailed lines. Dominating the facade, the rose window, a radiant wheel, stands as a symbol of divine light, echoing the medieval cosmos. This motif, however, is not confined to Toulouse. The rose window finds echoes in the lotus patterns of ancient India, a symbol of enlightenment and rebirth. The wheel, present in both Buddhist mandalas and Celtic crosses, conveys a sense of cyclical time and spiritual wholeness. This recurring symbol, deeply embedded in the collective psyche, touches upon fundamental human concerns of existence and transcendence. The cathedral itself, with its towering structure, evokes a sense of awe and perhaps even fear, emotions that have been linked to the sublime in art. Through these shared symbols, Pannemaker's work connects us to a deeper, collective understanding of faith and architectural ambition across cultures and epochs.