Sterfbed van de Heilige Norbertus 1622

This engraving by Cornelis Galle I depicts the deathbed of Saint Norbertus, showcasing a scene laden with spiritual symbolism. Light rays descend from the heavens, a visual metaphor for divine grace, illuminating the saint as he prepares to meet his maker, holding a cross on his chest. The motif of radiant light is ancient, appearing across cultures to signify enlightenment and the presence of the divine. In early Christian art, light often signified Christ himself, the "light of the world." Here, these beams connect the earthly and celestial realms, carrying echoes of similar imagery found in medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings, each instance adapted to its cultural and religious context. The light floods the composition and psychologically conveys hope and salvation amidst the somber scene of death. Ultimately, the symbol of divine light is not static but rather a fluid carrier of meaning, continuously reshaped by the collective psyche. It evolves, adapts, and reappears, demonstrating the enduring power of symbols to transcend time, engaging us in an unspoken dialogue across centuries.