Der Auferstandene 1925

Albin Egger-Lienz painted this oil on canvas, titled 'The Risen One'. A triumphant Christ figure stands before us, holding a flag. This flag, emblazoned with a red cross, is not merely a symbol of victory over death. It echoes through time, recalling the banners of the crusades, those turbulent expeditions driven by religious fervor. But this cross is more than a battle standard; it is a symbol of sacrifice, a visual shorthand for Christ's suffering. Yet, if we trace the cross back further, we find it precedes Christianity, appearing in various forms across ancient cultures, representing the cosmos, or the union of opposing forces. This symbol has evolved, acquiring layers of meaning, yet retains a primal connection to ideas of sacrifice and redemption. The halo, too, is a radiant echo of the divine, a symbol of enlightenment found in numerous spiritual traditions, from the sun disks of ancient Egypt to the auras of Buddhist deities. These images speak to the enduring human quest for meaning, reflecting our collective yearning for hope and transcendence. This hope resurfaces in myriad forms throughout history.