Toegangsportaal van het kartuizerklooster van Miraflores 1862 - 1876

This stereoscopic image by Jean Andrieu captures the entrance portal of the Carthusian Monastery of Miraflores, where stone carvings loom over the arched doorway. The presence of heraldic shields, symbols of lineage and authority, and the watchful gargoyles, guardians against evil, speak of a sacred space, a threshold between the earthly and the divine. Consider how the arch, a shape as old as civilization itself, appears here as a potent symbol of transition. We see the arch in Roman aqueducts, triumphal monuments, and early Christian catacombs. It transcends mere architectural function. The arch is more than just support; it suggests passage and transformation. Psychologically, it invites us to consider our own thresholds, the moments of change that define our lives. Thus, the symbols carved in stone engage the viewer in a deep, subconscious recognition of the passage from one state to another. The symbols' power lies in their non-linear, cyclical progression. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts, shaping our understanding of power and protection.