Fotoreproductie van een fresco in de Sala delle Statue, Vaticaan c. 1857 - 1875

This is a photographic reproduction of a fresco in the Sala delle Statue, Vatican, by James Anderson. We see two cherubic figures flanking a peacock. The peacock, a symbol laden with meaning, immediately captures our attention. In Roman times, the peacock was sacred to Juno, representing the riches of the heavens, the guardian of queens and goddesses, and a symbol of immortality. But this is not the only instance in which the symbol has appeared. In early Christian art, before the advent of symbolic lambs, the peacock was a symbol of resurrection, with its feathers representing the all-seeing eyes of the church. The symbolism of the peacock has evolved, shifting in meaning over time. Here, nestled between these angelic children, the peacock may represent a connection between earthly innocence and heavenly opulence. This evokes a powerful, almost subconscious emotional response, as we, too, are reminded of our primordial connection to the divine. The eternal recurrence of such potent symbols invites contemplation.