Gezicht op het noordelijk portaal van de Sint-Servaasbasiliek te Maastricht 1893

This photograph captures the north portal of the Sint-Servaasbasiliek in Maastricht, a striking example of Romanesque architecture. Dominating the composition is the arched entrance, marked by a cross. This symbol, central to Christian iconography, represents sacrifice, redemption, and faith. Yet, the cross has journeyed through time. Before its adoption by Christianity, similar symbols appeared in various cultures, representing the cosmos, balance, or even life itself. Think of the Egyptian ankh, a symbol of eternal life, or the sun cross found in numerous ancient traditions. The emotional weight carried by the cross, whether as a symbol of suffering or salvation, engages viewers on a subconscious level, tapping into collective memories and cultural narratives. The image before us, in its depiction of the church portal, serves as a threshold—a passage between the earthly and the divine. This motif of transition and transformation is echoed across cultures and epochs, constantly reshaped by the collective psyche.