Elevation of a Main Altar with an Alternate Design 16th century

This is a drawing of an altar design, made by an anonymous artist on paper. The most arresting element is undoubtedly the cross, towering above the altar. It is a symbol that has undergone a fascinating metamorphosis through time. Initially, the cross was a symbol of suffering, public execution, and humiliation. Yet, through Christ’s crucifixion, this brutal instrument was transformed into an emblem of redemption and spiritual triumph. We see it here dominating the altar, the table of sacrifice. Consider, too, the figures adorning the altar: they resonate with a sense of devotion and reverence, yet the altar is a stage where faith confronts its deepest anxieties. The cross is not a static icon. It evolves, reflects, and refracts the spiritual and emotional currents of each era. It remains a potent reminder of humanity’s capacity to transmute suffering into transcendence. This symbol’s journey is cyclical, resurfacing in diverse forms and contexts.