Portret van Joseph Franz von Kesselstatt 1686 - 1742

Andreas Reinhard created this print of Joseph Franz von Kesselstatt. Notice the cross symbol prominently displayed beneath the portrait. This is not merely a Christian symbol; it's an emblem laden with histories stretching back to ancient cosmological diagrams. Consider the cross as a symbol of intersecting axes, evoking ideas of balance and order found across cultures. This motif appears in ancient Egyptian art, representing life, and in various forms in pre-Christian European traditions. The Knights Templar, for instance, adopted the cross, associating it with notions of sacrifice and protection, yet, later interpretations linked it to esoteric knowledge and hidden power. The reappearance of this symbol through different eras reveals the enduring human quest for meaning. The emotional and psychological weight of such symbols creates a non-linear progression, continually reshaping collective memory and the subconscious. The cross evolves, resurfaces, and embodies new layers of significance, connecting us to the past.