Apostel Petrus / Apostel Andreas Possibly 1616 - 1654

Nicolaes Ryckmans crafted these engravings of Saint Peter and Saint Andrew around the early 17th century. Peter is depicted with keys, an emblem of authority and his role as the gatekeeper of Heaven, a concept that echoes in different cultural contexts where keys symbolize knowledge and access to the unknown. Consider Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, also depicted with keys, a visual parallel resonating with the psychological undercurrent of control and transition. Andrew is seen with the X-shaped cross, a symbol of his martyrdom, bearing a resemblance to ancient symbols of sacrifice found across cultures. These are not merely historical anecdotes, but manifestations of a deep, collective memory. The emotional weight carried in these depictions taps into our subconscious awareness of sacrifice, authority, and transition, inviting us to contemplate the cyclical progression of these symbols.