Titelblad met o.a. de doop van Christus en een visioen van Johannes de Evangelist 1500 - 1517

This is the title page with the Baptism of Christ and a Vision of John the Evangelist, created around 1520 by Hans Springinklee. The dominant image, the baptism, features John the Baptist pouring water over Christ, a scene laden with symbolism of purification and spiritual rebirth. This act is a potent reminder of ancient purification rituals, echoed across cultures. The dove, representing the Holy Spirit, descends, mirroring similar divine emanations in classical myth. Think of the dove associated with Aphrodite. The surrounding vignettes include angels, and a vision of the Virgin Mary, common across cultures. Consider, too, the figure of Death, a memento mori, juxtaposed with scenes of spiritual awakening. This stark reminder of mortality, echoes classical depictions of Thanatos, and serves to heighten the emotional impact of the promise of spiritual redemption. The power of the image lies in its capacity to resonate with our deepest fears and hopes, a testament to the enduring force of these archetypal symbols across time.