Cronica Cronicarum (...), blad 1 Possibly 1521 - 1529

This illustrated page from the "Cronica Cronicarum" presents a sweeping vision of world history through vivid images and text. Dominating the page are depictions of biblical narratives. Consider the motif of the divine hand, seen pointing in blessing or creation in several images. This gesture, reaching down from an unseen divine presence, speaks to humanity's yearning for connection with the transcendent. We see echoes of this symbol across cultures, from ancient Egyptian art to Renaissance paintings. Think of Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam," where the almost-touching hands represent the spark of life. Yet, here, the divine hand also reflects our deep-seated anxieties about fate and intervention, embodying a potent, shared memory. Such visual language resurfaces throughout history, adapting to new contexts while retaining its primal emotional power.