Chaminés alentejanas 

Mily Possoz captured these Alentejo chimneys in an undated painting. The chimneys, each a unique design, rise like totems against the skyline, silent witnesses to domestic life. These aren't merely functional structures; they're individualized expressions, reminiscent of the decorative columns of ancient temples, each telling a story. This impulse to adorn practical objects appears across cultures and eras, from the painted amphorae of ancient Greece to the gargoyles of Gothic cathedrals. The jug sitting to the side, a timeless vessel. Like the chimneys, they serve a basic function but also carry a weight of cultural memory. Consider how these forms evolve. The chimney, a symbol of the hearth and home, echoes the protective power of Vesta, the Roman goddess of the home. These symbols shift over time yet their underlying emotional resonance persists, connecting us to our ancestors through a shared visual language.