Tomb of Zaccaria and Saint Athanasius 1605

Palma il Giovane’s altar Tomb of Zaccaria and Saint Athanasius is replete with symbols of salvation, death, and ascension. Above the tomb itself, angelic figures swirl, escorting the holy figures to heaven. Angels, ubiquitous in Christian art, evolved from earlier winged deities like the Greek Nike or Roman Victory. These figures, messengers between the divine and mortal realms, are often depicted attending to or carrying souls heavenward. In the broader cultural context, the wings of the angels can be traced back to the ancient Near East, where winged figures symbolized power, divinity, and the ability to transcend earthly bounds. The upward movement is, perhaps, the most powerful expression in this artwork, representing not only physical elevation but also spiritual transcendence. Consider how the motif of rising or ascending permeates human culture, from the Egyptian pyramids to the Tower of Babel. It appears our collective consciousness understands death as a form of ‘rising up’ and leaving the body, perhaps seeking something greater beyond the physical experience. These symbols are not static; they evolve and transform across cultures and centuries.