Gezicht op het treinstation Gare de l'Est in Parijs c. 1850 - 1880

This print by Adolphe Block captures the Gare de l'Est in Paris, a symbol of modernity and transition in the 19th century. The railway station, more than just a building, represents a crossroads, a place of arrivals and departures that shapes the human experience. Consider the serpent, a symbol of transformation, shedding its skin to reveal a new self. We see echoes of this in the station, where people from different walks of life converge, each carrying their own stories. Like the serpent, they are poised to shed their old identities and embrace new beginnings. This idea of transformation transcends time, appearing in ancient myths and Renaissance art. The station is a modern echo, embodying this continuous cycle of change. In our collective memory, it is a place of powerful emotions, hope, anxiety, and expectation. The station engages us, subconsciously, by tapping into our deep-seated fascination with change and the unknown. As we stand before this image, we are reminded of the non-linear journey of symbols through time, evolving and resurfacing to shape our understanding of the world.