Polittico di Sansepolcro 1444

This is Il Sassetta's Polittico di Sansepolcro, a polyptych rich with symbols that speak across time. Note the architectural elements and the organized spaces, such as arches and columns, which frame the scenes, creating a stage for these sacred stories. The organized and balanced architectural space can be traced back to classical antiquity but is here infused with Christian narratives. The image of a descending dove, representing the Holy Spirit, is another powerful symbol present in one of the panels. The dove, as a symbol of purity and peace, appears throughout Christian art, often linking the divine with human actions, such as the story of Noah. These symbols tap into our collective memory, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Such forms, these containers of meaning, echo and transform throughout history, resurfacing in new contexts, and reminding us of the cyclical nature of cultural memory.