Uitstorting van de Heilige Geest 1582 - 1613

Pieter van der Borcht created this engraving, "The Descent of the Holy Spirit," capturing the biblical moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles. Observe the radiant light emanating from above, symbolizing divine presence. These visual motifs aren't confined to Christian art; consider the sun-like halos in ancient Greek depictions of Apollo, or the mandorla, an almond-shaped aureole of light, found in Byzantine art. These symbols represent divine illumination and power, echoing across cultures. The motif of radiant light connects to a deeper, more primal human experience—the life-giving power of the sun, the illumination that dispels darkness. This image taps into that collective memory, eliciting a powerful psychological response. It is not a linear progression but a cyclical one, as this symbol resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.