Preaching in the College at Rome 1773 - 1775

David Allan made this print, “Preaching in the College at Rome,” using etching and engraving. A friar delivers a sermon from atop a staircase, a crucifix looming behind him. Note the raised hand, a gesture laden with historical weight. The preacher's oratory pose, arm extended towards the crowd, echoes across centuries. We see it in ancient Roman sculptures of orators, figures like Cicero, whose words shaped the Republic. This gesture, potent with authority, transcends mere communication, embedding itself in the collective memory as a symbol of leadership. Consider the cross, a universal symbol of sacrifice and salvation, yet here it looms over the speaker, a constant reminder of the weight and responsibility of his message. The act of preaching, infused with such powerful symbolism, engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This visual language, passed down through generations, continues to resonate, reminding us of the enduring power of images to evoke emotion and shape our understanding of the world.