Capella di San Giovanni in de kathedraal van Genua 1898

This image depicts the Capella di San Giovanni in the Cathedral of Genoa, captured in a photograph by Fratelli Alinari. The chapel is adorned with rich sculptural details depicting scenes from the life of John the Baptist. Note the recurring motif of the arch, framing not just the architectural space, but also individual narrative reliefs. The arch, a symbol spanning from ancient Roman triumphal arches to Christian cathedrals, signifies triumph, passage, and divine favor. Yet, its form is also reminiscent of a protective embrace. This duality echoes the complex role of religious architecture as both a gateway to the divine and a sanctuary. Consider the cyclical nature of symbols. Though each symbol is reinvented across cultures, its resonance remains potent, suggesting the enduring power of collective memory in shaping our visual language.