Paus spreekt banvloek uit over keizer c. 1661

This 17th-century print by Monogrammist GK depicts a pope excommunicating an emperor, a powerful assertion of spiritual authority over secular rule. The scene is charged with symbolic tension: the enthroned Pope, surrounded by clergymen, contrasts sharply with the Emperor below, signaling a dramatic clash of powers. The motif of excommunication carries echoes through history. Think of earlier images of emperors kneeling before popes, or even pagan rulers humbling themselves before their gods. The gesture of condemnation itself--the raised hand, the averted gaze--reverberates across time, appearing in scenes of judgment from ancient Egypt to the Christian Last Judgment. This act carries intense psychological weight. It speaks to our primal fears of exclusion and divine retribution, tapping into a collective memory of spiritual consequences. The image's enduring power lies in its ability to evoke these deep-seated emotions, reminding us of the timeless struggle between power and belief. These symbols of power will continue their cyclical journey, finding new forms and meanings in the ever-evolving landscape of human expression.