Opstand van de voorgevel van een gebouw met arcaden c. 1864

Here is a quick pencil sketch of a building facade by Willem Springer Jr. Note the series of arches spanning the facade, each one a gateway, a passage. Since ancient times, arches have symbolized triumph and transition, think of the Roman triumphal arches celebrating military victories. But the arch is older than Rome; it appears in ancient Mesopotamian city gates. Notice how it reappears in Gothic cathedrals, and Renaissance palaces. The arch transcends mere architectural function. It resonates deep within our collective memory; an invitation to pass from one state to another. It's a visual echo of humanity's ceaseless journey through time, and through life's phases. Like the ever-repeating cycles of history, these arches invite us to step through, to transition, and to see the potential for triumph in every passage.