Triptych of Jan Floreins closed 1479

Hans Memling crafted this Triptych of Jan Floreins in Bruges, with oil on panel. On its closed wings, we see Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Veronica holding the Veil of Veronica. Saint John, with his lamb, embodies purity and sacrifice, a harbinger of Christ. This pastoral image recalls classical antiquity, where the lamb signified innocence, and the shepherd, guidance. The veil bearing Christ's image connects us to the legend of Veronica, who offered compassion to Christ on his path to crucifixion. This miraculous imprint, the vera icon, is a potent symbol. It captures a moment of suffering, reflecting a universal longing for tangible proof of the divine. It evokes collective memory, tapping into our profound need for connection and solace across centuries. These figures, bridging the earthly and the divine, remind us that symbols are not static, but rather, they are dynamic entities. They are constantly evolving through art, shaping and reshaping our understanding of the human condition.