Gezicht op een villa nabij Château de Marlagne te Wépion before 1867

This photograph by Ghémar Frères captures a villa near Château de Marlagne, encapsulating the rising bourgeoisie's aspirations through architecture. Dominant is the architectural symmetry, a motif tracing back to classical antiquity, symbolizing order, harmony, and control over nature. Observe how the villa, with its balanced facades, echoes the Renaissance villas, harking back to an era of intellectual and cultural rebirth. This architectural language is not merely aesthetic; it evokes a collective memory of an idealized past. The villa is presented as a symbol of stability and social order. It speaks to our deep-seated longing for structure, a desire that finds expression in the buildings we create and inhabit. Yet, this pursuit of order is also a form of psychological compensation, masking the chaos and uncertainty inherent in human existence. The image resonates, triggering a subconscious dialogue between our aspirations for stability and the ever-present awareness of impermanence.