Korinthisch kapiteel en een detail van de San Marco in Venetië before 1885

Carl Heinrich Jacobi captured the Corinthian capital and a detail from the San Marco in Venice, presenting two windows into the enduring world of symbols. Observe the Corinthian capital, crowned with acanthus leaves, an ancient Greek motif symbolizing prosperity and rebirth. This same motif, echoing the natural world, reappears in the detail from San Marco, where entwined foliage speaks of abundance and divine blessing. But look closer, and you’ll see how these symbols have been transformed, layered with new meanings. The acanthus, once a simple representation of nature, is now infused with the grandeur of Venice, a testament to the city’s power and wealth. Here, the foliage reflects a deeper, collective yearning for order and harmony. As we stand before these images, we engage with a powerful, subconscious current, a shared history of symbols that continue to shape our perceptions and emotions. The past is never truly gone; it lives on in the motifs that surround us, constantly evolving, resurfacing, and finding new expression.