Portret van Alberto da Pisa, 3de Minister Generaal van de franciscaner orde 1710 - 1738

This engraving, made around 1700-1738 by Antonio Luciani, depicts Alberto da Pisa, the third Minister General of the Franciscan Order. He is shown holding a crucifix and rosary beads, symbols deeply rooted in Christian devotion and sacrifice. Observe the positioning of Alberto’s hands. One rests over his heart, symbolizing sincerity and piety, a gesture that echoes across centuries. In earlier depictions of saints and religious figures, this gesture reinforced a connection to divine truth and moral rectitude. One can see a similar hand placement in ancient Roman portraiture, yet there it conveys gravitas and authority, repurposed to reflect religious devotion here. This motif, emerging from classical antiquity, continually reappears in Western art, transformed by the evolving cultural and psychological landscape. The symbol, laden with collective memory, now engages us on a profound level, stirring subconscious associations of trust and devotion. It demonstrates the cyclical, non-linear progression of symbols, evolving and adapting across time.