Poort van de Sint-Janskathedraal te Nijmegen before 1889

This is a black and white print of a gate in the Sint-Janskathedraal in Nijmegen. The ironwork of the gate, with its trefoil arches, hints at the Gothic style prevalent during the medieval era of the church. The gate itself is not merely a barrier, but also a symbol. Think of gates in other contexts: the gates of paradise, the gates of hell, or even the city gates of ancient times. These architectural features often represent a threshold, a transition between spaces, both physical and spiritual. The trefoil arch, common in Christian architecture, is itself a symbolic element, often interpreted as a representation of the Holy Trinity. In the emotional life of humankind, the act of passing through a gate or doorway is always charged with a certain tension. We carry with us a sense of anticipation, of uncertainty, perhaps even of fear. This gate, with its historical and religious connotations, stirs deep within us a collective memory. It is a reminder of our human quest for understanding and the boundaries, both real and imagined, that we encounter along the way.