Saint Rolandus, from Saints Connected with the House of Habsburg 1516

This is Leonhard Beck’s Saint Rolandus, an engraving made to connect the saint to the House of Habsburg. Note the sword and the halo: symbols of Rolandus's martyrdom, a visual language employed across centuries to denote sainthood and divine favor. The sword, a tool of earthly conflict, transforms here into an emblem of spiritual battle, reminiscent of how medieval knights adopted religious symbols on their arms and armor. Yet, consider the curious placement of Rolandus’s hand upon his chest. This gesture, repeated across devotional images, speaks to a deep human desire for divine protection and grace, echoing in the Renaissance with subtle adjustments. It resurfaces in modern gestures of allegiance, showing how we seek to connect with powers beyond ourselves. This visual symbol persists, a testament to our shared cultural memory and subconscious drives.