Interieur van de Sala del Maggior Consiglio in het dogepaleis in Venetië before 1898

This is an image of the Sala del Maggior Consiglio in Venice's Doge's Palace. The room is dominated by two globes, symbols of earthly dominion and the Renaissance era's burgeoning exploration of the world. But let us consider the symbolism of the globe across time. In antiquity, globes were emblems of imperial power, signifying the ruler's reach over the known world. Think of the Roman emperors depicted holding a globe, embodying their universal authority. Fast forward to the Renaissance, and the globe evolves, reflecting not just power but the scientific and philosophical quest to map and understand our world. Yet, these globes in Venice are more than mere symbols of knowledge. They are containers of memory, objects that speak to our collective ambition to conquer and comprehend the unknown. This desire is a deeply ingrained part of the human psyche, manifested in our art and our dreams. The globes, with their implicit promise of discovery and mastery, stir in us the same emotions that drove explorers across uncharted seas. It is a powerful reminder of how symbols transcend time, continually reappearing to shape our perceptions.