Monstrans 1837 - 1921

This pencil drawing depicts a monstrance, designed by Pierre Cuypers. The sunburst design is quite prominent, a symbol of enlightenment, radiating divinity, and the Eucharist at its center, all common in Christian iconography. Consider the ancient sun god Sol Invictus, whose image also radiated light. This motif didn’t disappear with antiquity, but rather, it was transmuted. We find it re-emerging during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, often associated with powerful monarchs, like Louis XIV, who adopted the sun as his emblem. It is a demonstration of power, but also, a kind of protective talisman. This symbol, rooted in antiquity and repurposed through the centuries, taps into our collective memory. It speaks to a deep, subconscious yearning for protection and higher guidance, projecting an aura of divine authority that both awes and reassures. The endurance and adaptability of the sunburst design throughout history illustrate its powerful ability to evoke a sense of awe and reverence.