La Gloria et l'Honore di Ponti Tagliati, E Ponti in Aere, page 9 (verso) 1556

This engraving on page 9 of "La Gloria et l'Honore di Ponti Tagliati, E Ponti in Aere" was created by Matteo Pagano. The image is dominated by a central oval frame, densely packed with fine lines creating a sense of depth and texture, drawing us into the devotional scene. Inside, a kneeling figure gazes upward, offering a chalice to divine light, embodying piety and supplication. The composition, though small, is rich in symbolic elements. The light, the chalice, and the figure, all work together within the confines of the frame, yet this small vignette is also integrated into a much larger, more philosophical discourse. Pagano uses the print medium to destabilize the traditional notions of religious iconography, inviting viewers to reconsider their relationship to faith through the artwork's intricate details and symbolic structure. The formal qualities serve not only an aesthetic purpose but also contribute to the complex semiotic system within the piece. It challenges fixed meanings and offers a new way of thinking about faith, power, and representation.