The Celestial Pilot 

Here we see Gustave Doré’s vision of "The Celestial Pilot," an engraving filled with potent symbols. The angel, radiant with divine light, serves as a guide to souls, embodying hope and redemption. This figure resonates deeply with the classical motif of the psychopomp, or conductor of souls, seen in Hermes or Mercury, who guide souls to the afterlife. Consider the angel’s wings – a symbol of transcendence and divine intervention, yet also evocative of the winged figures in ancient Assyrian reliefs, guardians bridging the earthly and celestial realms. This symbol has evolved through time, adapting to cultural contexts, yet consistently evokes ideas of spiritual passage. Doré captures the intense emotional state of longing for salvation, a psychological landscape familiar throughout history. These visual symbols act as powerful forces, engaging us on a subconscious level, tapping into collective memories of hope, fear, and the eternal quest for meaning. It's a non-linear progression, resurfacing across history and constantly evolving.