Design for a pulpit 

This is Josef Herscher's design for a pulpit, a sketch brimming with the visual language of faith. Dominating the composition is the Virgin Mary, surrounded by angels, and above her, the Holy Spirit as a dove radiating divine light. These symbols, deeply rooted in Christian theology, signify purity, grace, and divine inspiration. The depiction of the Virgin, we see echoes of the "Madonna" images from the Middle Ages, but here, she is enmeshed in a dynamic, baroque setting, her form elongated and her drapery flowing with the dynamism of the era. The dove, a symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit, appears in both ancient Greek and Roman art as an attribute of Venus or Cupid, illustrating the non-linear trajectory of symbols through time. Such imagery isn't merely decorative; it serves as a conduit for engaging the viewer on a profound emotional level, creating a sense of awe and divine connection. The arrangement of figures draws the eye upward, symbolically lifting the spirit towards the divine. It's a powerful testament to the enduring human quest for transcendence.