Triptych of Willem Moreel, left wing, the founder Willem Moreel, his sons and St. William of Maleval 1484

Painted by Hans Memling, this panel shows Willem Moreel, his sons, and Saint William of Maleval, all captured in oil. Notice the gesture of prayer, with hands clasped, connecting the earthly family to the divine saint. The clasped hands, a universal symbol of supplication, stretch back to ancient votive offerings, reappearing in countless devotional images across cultures. Think of the Buddhist Anjali Mudra, a gesture of respect and prayer. It is a subtle shift, though, from a gesture of simple piety to a powerful expression of inner turmoil and hope. Consider, too, the imposing figure of Saint William, clad in armor, protector and intercessor. The saint's presence, both formidable and comforting, reminds us of the protective deities found in various mythologies. The symbols in this panel remind us that visual motifs carry with them a life of their own, resurfacing and evolving, shaped by cultural memory and the enduring human need for connection.