Ornament met twee vrouwen die het Geloof personifiëren en het wapen van Paus Clemens XI 1714

Maximilian Joseph Limpach created this ornament featuring two women personifying Faith and the coat of arms of Pope Clement XI using etching. Here, the figures of Faith, with chalice and cross, stand as allegories, embodying potent symbols deeply rooted in Christian iconography. These are not merely representations, but active participants in a visual language, referencing similar motifs found in Roman art—where virtues were personified to inspire and guide. Consider the chalice. Throughout history, it has appeared in countless artworks, each time echoing the Last Supper, yet shifting slightly to mirror contemporary spiritual needs. Similarly, the papal tiara atop the crest is not just a symbol of authority, but a complex signifier evolving over centuries, reflecting the shifting dynamics of power and spirituality. Such symbols tap into our collective memory, a deep well of shared human experience. They resonate because they remind us—subconsciously—of ancient archetypes, of humanity's enduring quest for meaning and connection.