De heilige Paulus 19th century

Francesco Ravano's engraving portrays Saint Paul, his visage framed by a fulsome beard, and a sword resting beside him. This sword is no mere accessory; it symbolizes Paul's martyrdom, his execution by the sword, and his unwavering faith. But the sword carries deeper echoes, reminiscent of the Roman gladius, a symbol of power and justice. In Christian iconography, it morphed into a representation of spiritual warfare, of cutting through falsehoods with the sharp edge of divine truth. Centuries before Ravano, we see similar symbolic transformations. Take the caduceus of Hermes, entwined with serpents, signifying trade and negotiation; its form resurfaces in modern medicine, now embodying healing and science. How these forms linger, adapting to new eras and beliefs, speaks to the enduring power of images in our collective psyche, a visual echo resonating across time.