Het sacrament van het vormsel 1712 - 1786

Giovanni Marco Pitteri’s engraving captures the sacrament of confirmation, a moment rich with religious symbolism. The central figure, the bishop, extends his hand to anoint the kneeling child, a gesture symbolizing divine blessing and the infusion of the Holy Spirit. The laying on of hands, a motif that echoes across centuries, from ancient rituals of healing and consecration to its prominent place in Christian art. Think of early Christian mosaics where similar gestures convey miraculous power and spiritual authority. It is a signifier of transfer, of imparting something intangible yet profoundly impactful. Observe how the weight of tradition and the deep-seated human need for spiritual connection converge in this simple, repeated gesture, shaping our collective visual memory and revealing the enduring power of symbols across time.