Fotoreproductie van een geschilderd portret van paus Adrianus VI 1880 - 1910

This is a photographic reproduction of a painted portrait of Pope Adrian VI by an anonymous artist. The most striking visual element is the papal tiara, the triple crown. This potent symbol signifies the Pope’s threefold authority, as father of kings, governor of the world, and vicar of Christ. Consider how the tiara, as a symbol of power, has antecedents in ancient headdresses. Think of the Phrygian cap of Mithras or the crowns of Persian emperors, each adapted to convey spiritual and temporal authority. The X on Adrian’s chest, too, is a motif that echoes through time, appearing in various forms across different cultures, from heraldic emblems to religious symbols of Saint Andrew and Saint Patrick. These symbols carry ancestral memories that stir our collective consciousness. These symbols are not static; they evolve, adapt, and resurface throughout history. In each epoch, their meanings are layered anew, embodying both continuity and transformation.