Sint-Jan van Lateranen te Rome c. 1750 - 1799

This print by Domenico Montaigù depicts the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, its facade adorned with statues bearing gestures of benediction. This motif of raised arms is a potent symbol, resonating through centuries and cultures. Consider the Orans figure from early Christian art in the catacombs, its outstretched arms a plea to the divine. Or even earlier, pre-Christian Antiquity, with figures in prayer and supplication to the gods of the Roman pantheon. This gesture, deeply embedded in our collective memory, speaks to our innate desire for connection with a higher power. The upraised hands are a signal of hope or prayer. The statues carry the weight of history, their silent gestures echoing through time, engaging us in a dialogue that transcends the centuries. The non-linear progression of this symbol resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.