The Savior 1445 - 1467

This engraving of the Savior was created around 1450-1467 by Master ES, presenting a profound assemblage of symbols and iconography. Christ emerges, haloed, holding an orb representing dominion over the Earth. Note his gesture of blessing— a motif that echoes through Byzantine mosaics and Renaissance paintings alike. Consider the orb: Initially a Roman symbol of imperial power, it was adopted by Christianity to signify Christ's governance over the cosmos. This symbol's journey reflects how visual languages evolve, adapting to new cultural contexts. We see the orb in the hands of emperors, then saints, each time imbued with renewed meaning, revealing how deeply power and religion are intertwined in our collective psyche. The Savior's slightly melancholic expression evokes a visceral, subconscious response. Master ES taps into a wellspring of human emotions, engaging viewers on a level that transcends the purely visual. It is this emotional charge that ensures these images continue to resonate, reborn in different guises across centuries.