St. John Taking Leave of his Parents 1465

Filippo Lippi created this fresco of St. John around 1450, presenting us with a pivotal scene. Notice the recurring motif of rocky landscapes and caverns, symbols deeply rooted in religious iconography. The cave, often seen as a place of refuge and transformation, hearkens back to ancient mystery cults and the symbolic descent into the underworld for spiritual rebirth. St. John's departure mirrors the hero's journey, a motif found across cultures, from classical myths to medieval romances. Think of Plato's cave, where enlightenment comes from emerging into the light, or the alchemical process of transformation within the crucible. The emotional weight of the scene is palpable, the expressions of sorrow and acceptance etched on the faces of John’s parents resonating with our own primal experiences of separation and sacrifice. These aren't mere illustrations; they are potent emotional symbols. The cave, the farewell, the journey – these symbols echo through time, constantly re-emerging, transformed, yet retaining their fundamental power to move us, to remind us of our shared human experience.