Houses of Parliament c. 19th century

Francis Frith captured the Houses of Parliament with a photographic process. The building is a Gothic Revival structure, replete with pointed arches and spires reaching to the heavens, architectural symbols rooted in medieval cathedrals. These spires aren't merely decorative; they evoke a sense of aspiration, a collective desire to reach beyond the earthly realm. Consider the Tower of Babel, a symbol of human ambition, or the minarets of Islamic architecture, which mediate between heaven and earth. The pointed arch, seen here in every window, directs the eye upward, embodying the spiritual yearning of an entire civilization. There's a psychological dimension too: the verticality of the building might reflect a collective striving for progress. These symbols resurface across eras, evolving yet retaining their potent emotional charge. They serve as a cultural script, subtly influencing our perceptions and reminding us of the cyclical nature of human expression.