Triomf van Christus c. 1510 - 1629

Andrea Andreani created this chiaroscuro woodcut, "The Triumph of Christ," in the late 16th or early 17th century. Here, we see Christ in his moment of glory, but let us turn our attention to the symbol of the cross carried in the procession. It appears in countless forms throughout history. Initially a symbol of death and Roman authority, it was transformed by Christ's sacrifice into a potent emblem of salvation and faith. Yet, in the hands of the Crusaders, the cross became a symbol of holy war, adorning banners as armies marched to claim the Holy Land, and centuries later, it would appear on the vestments of conquistadors, as they subjugated the New World. Consider the shifting meanings—a testament to the enduring power of symbols to be reinterpreted, repurposed, and imbued with new layers of cultural and psychological significance. Such is the life of symbols, constantly resurfacing and evolving across time. They are a testament to the complex interplay between past and present, shaping our understanding of the world.