Mariakerk te Utrecht, 1090 1865 - 1870

Hendrik Sluyter made this etching of the Mariakerk in Utrecht in 1890. Dominating the façade is the rose window, a symbol of the Virgin Mary, the namesake of this church. The rose window's circular form, with its many delicate, symmetrical divisions, is a motif that long predates Christianity. We see it echoed in ancient sun disks and mandalas, emblems of cosmic harmony and spiritual unity. When the Gothic cathedrals rose across Europe, the rose window became a central feature, a kaleidoscopic eye filtering divine light. Yet, the radiant form also evokes a more primal, perhaps subconscious, response. The rosette draws the eye, creating a focal point that suggests hidden depths and invites contemplation. In that sense, the builders and beholders of these churches were tapping into a deep well of collective memory. The cyclical nature of symbols is ever-present, continuously reappearing, evolving, and acquiring new significance in various historical settings.