Portret van paus Johannes VIII 1675 - 1727

This is Claude Duflos’s portrait of Pope John VIII. Note the papal tiara atop the Pope's head, and the prominent cross on his chest; symbols of spiritual authority. These are not mere ornaments, but potent emblems encoding centuries of religious power. Consider the keys of Saint Peter, crossed beneath the portrait: they are a motif that echoes through time, from ancient Roman symbolism to medieval papal insignia. The keys are a visual shorthand for the power to bind and loose, here entrusted to the papacy. Yet, observe how such symbols transmute across epochs. The cross, for instance, began as an instrument of execution, evolving into the supreme emblem of Christian redemption. This transformation encapsulates humanity's capacity to find hope amid despair. The portrait engages us on a deep level, stirring collective memories and subconscious associations. The visual language of power, sacrifice, and faith—it lingers in our minds long after we turn away, resurfacing in new contexts, forever transformed yet perpetually resonant.