Ascension of St. John 1889

This is Timothy Cole's rendering of ‘Ascension of St. John’. Observe the ascending figure of St. John, his halo radiant as he's drawn upwards. The motif of ascension is ancient, appearing in various forms across cultures. Think of the apotheosis of Roman emperors or the assumption of Mary. The reaching hands of the celestial figures echo a universal desire for transcendence, for escape from earthly bounds. Here, the cloud of angels functions not just as a religious symbol, but as a visual metaphor for the collective yearning for spiritual elevation. Consider the persistence of this motif. It resurfaces repeatedly, each time imbued with new cultural significance, yet retaining its primal appeal to our subconscious desire for something beyond the material world. This symbol, and its power, continues its journey through the corridors of time.