Synode gehouden in de Nieuwe Kerk te Amsterdam, 1730 / Bevestiging van een nieuwe predikant in een Waalse Kerk in Holland 1732 - 1736

Bernard Picart created this print in 1730, depicting a synod in Amsterdam's New Church and the confirmation of a minister in a Walloon church. Notice the imposition of hands in the lower scene, a gesture laden with historical weight. This act, symbolizing the transmission of divine grace or authority, echoes through centuries, appearing in ancient Roman investiture rituals as well as early Christian art. The laying on of hands is a motif that resurfaces repeatedly, each time imbued with the power of tradition and the hopes of renewal. Consider how this gesture, seemingly simple, carries the subconscious weight of countless historical precedents. It reflects a profound connection between past and present, illustrating the cyclical nature of symbols that engage us on a deeply emotional level. The symbolic act of laying on of hands continues to resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings.