Schouw met rond schilderij 1661

This print by Jean Lepautre presents an elaborate door design, teeming with symbols that speak volumes about faith and authority. Above the doors, notice the angels holding a cross over a round painting. The cross, a universal emblem of Christianity, signifies sacrifice and redemption. But observe how it's presented: held aloft by angels, these celestial beings acting as divine messengers, elevates the cross and links it to the heavens. Angels have been used throughout history to connect us to the divine. Consider how the cross appears in earlier Byzantine mosaics, often surrounded by golden light, or in Renaissance paintings where it dominates the composition. Each era imbues it with new layers of meaning, yet the core message of spiritual transcendence remains. In Lepautre's design, the cross becomes a beacon, drawing our eyes and perhaps our souls upward. This image engages us on a deep, subconscious level, tapping into our collective memory of faith and the eternal quest for salvation. The cyclical progression of the cross persists. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings, echoing through the corridors of time.