Kelders van het Kasteel van Chillon 1885 - 1910

This photograph by Jean-Henri Jullien captures the cellars of the Château de Chillon, presenting a cavernous space defined by rows of stone columns and vaulted arches. These architectural elements speak of support, enclosure, and, perhaps, confinement. The use of arches, a motif seen throughout history, connects these cellars to spaces like Roman catacombs or medieval crypts. In ancient times, these spaces served as both physical foundations and spiritual anchors. They are a place for both physical and spiritual imprisonment. Consider how, in our collective memory, the image of arches and columns evokes feelings of being enclosed and protected. The photograph's somber atmosphere hints at the intense emotional states associated with imprisonment: isolation, fear, and despair. Such spaces are the embodiment of the human psyche's darker recesses, engaging viewers on a subconscious level by tapping into primal fears of entrapment and the unknown. Through the passage of time, we see this symbol—the vault—resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings. It reminds us of the non-linear, cyclical progression of history, where symbols are constantly reinterpreted within new contexts.