Hemelvaart van Christus 1739 - 1780

This etching, "Hemelvaart van Christus," by Francesco Bartolozzi, presents Christ's ascension, surrounded by onlookers with raised arms, mirroring the angel above. These gestures of supplication aren't unique to this scene. We see echoes of them in ancient Roman art, where emperors were depicted ascending to the heavens, their arms outstretched as a sign of divinity. This motif transcends cultures and epochs, reappearing in Byzantine icons, and even in modern political imagery. Consider the raised arm—it's a plea, a surrender, a reaching for something beyond the earthly realm. Psychologically, it taps into our deepest desires for transcendence, our collective yearning for connection with the divine. It speaks to the human condition, our constant striving for meaning and purpose. Thus, the ascension isn't just a Christian narrative; it's a universal story, continuously reshaped and reimagined throughout history, echoing through the corridors of our collective memory, a powerful force that continues to resonate.