Gezicht op Commissioner Street in Johannesburg 1890 - 1905

This photograph by Barnett & Co. depicts Commissioner Street in Johannesburg. Notice the Ionic columns adorning the building on the left, a motif echoing classical antiquity. These columns, symbols of stability and order, were adopted during the Renaissance to evoke the grandeur of ancient civilizations. The inclusion of classical architectural elements in a city undergoing rapid industrialisation hints at a deeper psychological phenomenon. This yearning for order amidst chaos reflects humanity's inherent desire to connect with a glorified past. The presence of such elements serves not only as a cultural reference but also as a subconscious attempt to impose structure on the present. Think, for example, of the Roman aqueducts. They symbolized the power of the Empire, their influence resurfacing in the architecture of the 19th century and continuing to evoke feelings of awe and stability today. This photograph captures a cyclical progression, where classical symbols resurface to shape and influence the modern world.