House at Santorini 

Konstantinos Maleas painted this evocative scene of a "House at Santorini," capturing more than just a building. The domed architecture, repeated throughout the composition, has its roots in ancient forms; think of Mycenaean tombs or even further back, to the rounded shapes of Neolithic dwellings. This echoes a desire for protection and containment. Similar shapes can be found in religious architecture across many cultures. But here, the stark, whitewashed walls under the Greek sun create a sense of both purity and isolation. It's a powerful representation of the cyclical nature of human building and living. The same motifs return again and again, perhaps reflecting our deepest psychological needs for safety and continuity. The reappearance of these forms speaks to the enduring power of archetypes, how they transcend time, carrying layers of accumulated meaning within them, shifting slightly with each iteration, but always reminding us of something primal.