The wrath of the bishop 

Jehan Georges Vibert’s painting presents us with a bishop in a furious state, a scene full of symbols that speak volumes about power and frustration. The purple robes traditionally signify authority and high ecclesiastical status, yet here, they seem almost to amplify the bishop's rage, contrasting with the crumpled newspapers underfoot—a sign of modernity being trampled by tradition. This act recalls ancient iconoclasm, where sacred images were destroyed to assert dominance, echoing in the prelate’s fury. Consider the gesture: the rigid posture, the hand firmly placed, a universal sign of controlling anger. One is reminded of the classical depictions of emperors and gods, yet here, the divine authority clashes with the very human emotion of anger. The painting captures a moment where the veneer of spiritual power barely conceals raw emotion, revealing a timeless struggle between authority and the uncontrollable forces of human nature. It reminds us that symbols are never static, their meanings constantly reshaped by the ever-evolving human experience.