Panthéon in Parijs met wachtende koetsen ervoor c. 1880 - 1890

This is an old photograph of the Panthéon in Paris, capturing its imposing neoclassical architecture. Dominating the structure is its dome, reminiscent of ancient Roman temples, crowned with a cross that tells a story of changing beliefs. Originally built as a church, it was later secularized, embodying the tumultuous shifts in French society. The Pantheon's classical columns and pediment with sculptures of heroic figures evoke the ideals of reason and civic virtue, drawing from a visual vocabulary that has roots in antiquity. The dome has been a symbol of power, both spiritual and earthly, throughout history. Think of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, where the dome signified divine authority. This iconography was then re-employed during the Renaissance with the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, which marked a return to classical forms. The cross, initially signifying sacrifice, was then transformed into a symbol of triumph. The Pantheon, as seen in this photograph, engages with these deeply embedded cultural memories, inviting us to consider how symbols evolve and reflect the complex interplay between past and present.