Opgebaarde onverteerde lichaam van de H. Idesbald, 1625 1714

Bernard Picart's engraving captures the marvel surrounding the incorrupt body of Saint Idesbald in 1625. The body, laid out for veneration, becomes a focal point, drawing gazes and eliciting gestures of awe. Consider the recurring motif of the open hand. Here, it's not just a gesture, it's a primal response to the uncanny, mirroring instances across art history—from ancient depictions of mourning to Renaissance annunciations. The open hand appears as a visceral expression of shock, disbelief, or reverence. It's a symbol deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. The kneeling figures and the act of witnessing tap into the emotional currents of faith and the collective memory of miracles. These images speak to a deep-seated human desire to connect with the divine, to find proof of transcendence in the physical world. The veneration of relics transcends mere observation; it's a journey into the collective subconscious. Thus, the image of Idesbald is not only a historical record, but a powerful symbol with enduring psychological resonance.