Polyptych. Madonna and Child, Saint James the Great and Saint Henry (detail) 1484

This panel by Ambrogio Bergognone, part of a polyptych, presents Saint Henry adorned with symbols of ecclesiastical authority. The bishop's mitre and crozier, along with his raised hand in blessing, are visual cues denoting divine power sanctioned by the Church. The raised hand, a gesture seen across cultures from ancient Roman oratory to Byzantine iconography, signifies not just benediction but also authority. Consider the Roman emperors depicted with a similar gesture, emblems of their power. This motif's persistence reveals a deep-seated human impulse to connect earthly authority with divine sanction. These symbols, recurring throughout history, tap into a collective memory, stirring subconscious recognition and respect. The emotional power of such imagery lies in its ability to invoke not just religious devotion, but a sense of continuity, anchoring the viewer in a long line of cultural and spiritual tradition. Such motifs evoke feelings of belonging and shared cultural heritage.