God the Father with Angels Holding Symbols of the Passion 1647 - 1651

Pietro da Cortona rendered this drawing of God the Father with Angels using pen and brown ink with lead white and charcoal. We see God the Father surrounded by angels holding the symbols of the Passion. The cross, for instance, looms large in the angels’ embrace, echoing ancient sacrificial rites—a symbol of atonement and redemption. This motif transcends cultures and epochs. We see it in the Egyptian ankh, a symbol of life, or in the Roman standard, a mark of imperial power. Over time, this symbol of death and suffering has been transformed into one of hope and salvation. Here, Cortona taps into our collective consciousness. The harrowing crucifixion and the mourning angels awaken primal emotions, connecting viewers to a deep-seated, subconscious understanding of sacrifice and salvation. The image conveys intense emotional states that engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The evolution of the cross is not linear. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.