La communion des Lutheriens dans l'Eglise des Minorites à Augsbourg 1732

This print captures the communion of Lutherans in the Minorites Church in Augsburg. The act of communion depicted here carries profound symbolism. The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, represents spiritual cleansing and unity with the divine. Note the individuals ascending the staircase, moving towards the altar. In ancient Roman art, the act of ascending stairs often symbolized honor and the attainment of divine favor, appearing on triumphal arches. Similarly, we see the motif of the staircase in religious contexts, such as Jacob's Ladder, representing a mystical connection between Heaven and Earth. This motif speaks to something primal within us: the desire to bridge the gap between the earthly and the divine. The act of approaching the altar signifies seeking transcendence, a psychological journey towards enlightenment. The print captures this collective yearning for something beyond ourselves, a deeply human impulse that resonates across time and cultures. The symbolism reflects a cyclical progression of meaning, as the gestures and motifs of one era resurface and evolve in another, adapted yet fundamentally unchanged.