Portret van Francesco Parisio met het kruis van de Maltezer Orde 18th century

Carmine Pignatari etched this portrait of Francesco Parisio, immortalizing him with the cross of the Maltese Order. This eight-pointed cross is not merely a symbol, it is a visual echo resonating through centuries. We see similar geometric forms in ancient astronomical charts, each point signifying cardinal directions, a compass guiding not just sailors but the soul itself. In the early Christian era, the cross was associated with the eight Beatitudes, pathways to spiritual fulfillment. The Maltese cross, adopted by the Knights Hospitaller during the Crusades, also embodies military and religious fervor. Notice how it evokes protection, courage, and devotion. This symbol, passed down through generations, illustrates how images carry the weight of history, constantly shifting in meaning, yet perpetually linked to primal human emotions.