Man met ezel bij de qubba van Douris, nabij Baalbek c. 1867 - 1877

Félix Bonfils captured this photograph of a man and a donkey beside the Qubba of Douris, near Baalbek. The Qubba, with its simple yet powerful architectural form, invites contemplation. Its columns, reminiscent of ancient temples, invoke a sense of sacred space. Notice the lone man and his donkey; their presence transforms the Qubba into a place of meeting, a bridge between the earthly and the divine. This image echoes motifs found in many cultures, such as the solitary figure in contemplation amidst ruins, a symbol of human resilience in the face of time. The columns themselves recur in countless architectural forms, from Greek temples to Renaissance cathedrals, each time embodying a striving for order and transcendence. Consider how these architectural symbols have evolved, each iteration carrying traces of past meanings while adapting to new cultural contexts. It is a testament to our enduring quest for connection with the past.