Baptism of Jesus 

Jan Joest’s painting presents us with a visual theology of Christ's baptism. Here the hovering dove, a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, descends towards Christ as John the Baptist pours water over his head. Consider the dove: a motif that transcends its immediate religious context. We see its antecedent in ancient Greek art, where it accompanies Aphrodite, the goddess of love, or as a symbol of peace. This gentle bird appears throughout history, bearing different but related meanings. Its emergence here signifies purity and divine approval. This visual vocabulary taps into something primal. Water, too, is laden with meaning. It appears not just as a cleansing element, but as a symbol of rebirth, deeply rooted in our collective subconscious. Joest masterfully captures the psychological weight of this moment, portraying Christ in humble reverence, engaging viewers on a subconscious level and resonating through the ages.