Olav Trygvason and Sigrid Storråda 

Mårten Eskil Winge painted this altarpiece; note the striking contrast in the figures of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. John, on one side, raises a crucifix, his stance and garment reminiscent of classical depictions of prophets, while Christ, at the painting's center, gestures in blessing. The raised hand, a gesture as old as humanity itself, appears here, embodying a divine sanction. This hand appears in ancient Roman art, where Emperors bestow blessings on their subjects. Transcending its religious context, it echoes through time, resurfacing in political imagery. The motifs of baptism and sacrifice evoke primal, almost subconscious feelings. Consider the burden of leadership and spiritual awakening—themes we see echoed across cultures and epochs. This intersection of the divine and the human, rendered in paint, invites us into a deep, emotive dialogue across history. It is the eternal return of human striving towards the divine.