Christus, Maria en biddende figuren 1738

This small etching by Daniel Bongaert depicts Christ, Mary, and praying figures, steeped in the visual language of its time. Dominating the composition are the symbols of Christian faith: Christ holding a cross, three crosses on Golgotha, and the IHS Christogram, each carrying profound religious significance. Consider the three crosses. Rooted in the Gospel narratives, they represent not only the crucifixion of Christ but also the suffering and sacrifice inherent in the Christian doctrine. This symbol transcends its immediate context, echoing in various forms across different eras. We see parallels in ancient Roman depictions of public executions, where the cross was a tool of state power, or in medieval art that used the image to evoke intense emotional responses. This emblem resurfaces, transformed, carrying within it a palimpsest of meanings shaped by shifting cultural and psychological landscapes, continually engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This non-linear cyclical progression reveals the cultural memory, how symbols evolve, resurface, and are imbued with new significance across the epochs.