The resurrection 

Francesco Botticini painted The Resurrection to illustrate Christ’s triumph over death. The key motif is the resurrected Christ, emerging from the tomb, holding a cross. The cross is an ancient symbol, pre-dating Christianity, representing intersections and connections between different realms. In this work, Christ holds the cross as a symbol of victory. Echoes of this motif can be traced back to ancient Roman depictions of emperors holding scepters, emblems of their dominion and power. Over time, this imagery evolved, with rulers and deities alike depicted holding symbols of authority. The emotional power of this image is palpable. The gesture of Christ rising embodies the hope, not just of resurrection, but of overcoming earthly bounds. Like the scepter of emperors past, the cross in Christ's hand is a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This imagery has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.