Portret van paus Marcellus II 1549 - 1573

This is an engraving depicting Pope Marcellus II. Observe the papal coat of arms, featuring a lion rampant. This lion, a symbol of strength and courage, echoes through time, finding roots in ancient heraldry. Its roar can be heard in medieval banners and Renaissance emblems, signifying valor and dominion. In Pope Marcellus’s context, it embodies the papacy's authority and the Church’s fortitude. Consider, though, how the lion's symbolism shifts: from a pagan symbol of power to a Christian emblem of Saint Mark, the evangelist. This metamorphosis illustrates the enduring human tendency to imbue images with layers of meaning, reflecting changing cultural landscapes. The lion, therefore, is not merely a beast, but a vessel of cultural memory, a symbol that continually reinvents itself across the ages.