Nicolas de Netz, eveque d'Orleans 1605 - 1650

Jean Morin etched this portrait of Nicolas de Netz, Bishop of Orléans, sometime in the mid-17th century. Here, the Bishop wears a simple cross, a symbol deeply rooted in Christian iconography representing faith and salvation through sacrifice. The cross, initially a symbol of brutal execution, was transformed. We see its echo in ancient Egyptian ankhs, emblems of life, or even earlier solar crosses found in various cultures, signifying cosmic balance. In Netz's era, the cross marked not just religious identity but also the power and authority of the Church. Consider how this symbol persists, evolving from ancient spiritual emblems to modern-day jewelry. It is a testament to humanity's enduring quest for meaning, a silent carrier of hope, adapted through ages, proving that our symbols are never truly new, but always resurfacing.