Coat of Arms of Clement XIII (Rezzonico) 1758 - 1769

Here is a drawing made by Giovanni Battista Piranesi depicting the Coat of Arms of Clement XIII. The papal tiara looms above the shield, a symbol of authority and divine sanction. Consider the image of the keys, a motif passed down from Saint Peter, keeper of the keys to the kingdom of Heaven. We find the image of keys in ancient mythology too, as symbols of power to unlock hidden truths. The repetition of the keys as symbols of power speaks to how this image has been used throughout history. The very act of bearing symbols of authority is an emotional act which transcends time. It's a non-linear progression, this passing down of symbols. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts. What once might have meant one thing now carries layered meanings which speak to generations past.