Heilige Filomena kijkt op naar een visioen van Maria met Christus 1836

Henri Van der Haert created this print, "Heilige Filomena kijkt op naar een visioen van Maria met Christus," capturing a moment of divine visitation. Here, Saint Philomena gazes upwards, witnessing the ethereal figures of Mary and the Christ Child amidst a celestial gathering. The image is rich with symbols deeply rooted in Christian iconography. Consider the motif of the Virgin Mary appearing in visions, echoing countless artistic depictions across centuries and cultures. Mary’s presence, surrounded by cherubic faces in the clouds, signifies divine grace and heavenly intercession. The very act of looking upward to the heavens is itself a gesture laden with hope, supplication, and spiritual yearning, which reminds me of similar acts of reverence that transcend religious contexts. These symbols are not static, however; they evolve, intertwining with the collective unconscious. The persistent recurrence of such imagery speaks to a deeper, psychological need for connection with the divine, for solace and guidance in the face of earthly trials. Like a snake eating its own tail, the symbol has come full circle.