Portret van Arn van Würzburg 1713

This is Johann Salver’s engraving of Arn van Würzburg. Note the book held reverently in his hands, and the sword peering from behind his shoulder. These symbols speak to the dual nature of his position within the church. On the one hand, the book symbolizes divine wisdom and scholarly devotion. But observe how this is juxtaposed by the sword, a sign of temporal power and readiness for defense, indicating a complex relationship between spiritual leadership and worldly authority. The same motif can be seen in images across time and place, such as the Archangel Michael, the warrior angel who carries a sword representing his authority. The emotional weight of Arn’s introspective gaze, framed within the oval, hints at the profound mental landscape he inhabits. He is caught in a moment of contemplation, inviting viewers to reflect on the interplay between religious commitment, the burden of leadership, and the subconscious negotiation of personal beliefs. These images and symbols don’t disappear, they live on, transformed, in our collective memory.