Fotoreproductie van een prent waarop een reliekhouder is afgebeeld 1855 - 1885

This is a photographic reproduction by Ferdinand Brauer of a reliquary, likely made sometime before his death in 1915. The reliquary is adorned with many figures and symbols, including angels, saints, and decorative motifs reminiscent of classical and religious art. Observe the cherubic angels perched atop the structure, a symbol of divine presence and celestial guardianship. These winged figures are not unique to Christian art; we see their echoes in ancient Greek depictions of Eros and Roman depictions of Cupid. Though their original pagan connotations differ, the cherubs' association with love, protection, and spiritual elevation has endured, resurfacing throughout history. The careful preservation and veneration of relics is a primal act of memorialization, deeply rooted in the human psyche. This instinct to preserve sacred objects speaks to our innate desire to connect with the past. This reliquary encapsulates humanity's continuous striving to bridge the earthly and the divine.