Engel met sudarium c. 1581 - 1645

This engraving by Karel van Mallery presents us with an angel displaying the Sudarium of Saint Veronica. The cloth bears the face of Christ, crowned with thorns, an iconic symbol of his suffering. This image is a potent reminder of the imprints left by significant events and figures. The Sudarium itself becomes a 'memory-image,' echoing similar relics across cultures—veils, shrouds, and cloths believed to capture the essence of a sacred person or moment. Take, for instance, the Shroud of Turin or even the imprint of Buddha’s shadow. The face of Christ, imprinted on the cloth, mirrors the psychological phenomenon of pareidolia, where our minds seek familiar patterns in random stimuli. Over time, this image has undergone countless transformations, each reflecting the cultural and emotional landscape of its era. Each new depiction further embedding the pathos formula of suffering and divinity into our collective consciousness.