Restauratie van de kloosteromgang van de Domkerk in Utrecht 1880

Eduard François Georges captured this image of the Domkerk cloister in Utrecht during its restoration, using photography. Here we see arches, a motif deeply embedded in the architecture of sacred spaces. Arches, historically, have symbolized a gateway—a transition from the mundane to the divine, inviting entry and passage. This form transcends mere structural function; it evokes a sense of aspiration and continuity, a visual echo of reaching towards higher realms. Consider the arch’s appearance across cultures and eras, from Roman triumphal arches celebrating emperors to Gothic cathedrals directing the gaze heavenward. In each iteration, the arch represents a threshold. Like a Jungian portal into the collective unconscious, these arches resonate with the primal human desire to transcend limitations. We, the viewers, are drawn into the sacred space as our subconscious recognizes the symbol. These arches are not static; they pulse with centuries of memory, evolving yet forever anchored to the past.