Landscape with Saint Christopher and Male Monastic Saint (recto); Victory Crowning a Warrior, and Two Other Figures (verso). 1500 - 1600

This ink drawing presents us with Saint Christopher carrying the Christ Child, set within a detailed landscape. Saint Christopher, bathed in divine light, is a potent symbol of protection. In medieval times, he was invoked against the plague and sudden death. The image of a man carrying a child across water echoes ancient myths of world-bearers, like Atlas, figures burdened with responsibility. Think of the ancient Egyptian depictions of Anubis guiding souls across the river of death, the Nile. These images evoke a profound psychological resonance. The act of carrying represents the weight of existence, the burdens we bear for others, and the hope for safe passage through life's trials. The artist has tapped into a deep vein of human experience. The cyclical nature of these symbols reminds us that we are all travelers, carrying our own burdens, seeking our own safe passage, guided by hope and faith, through the unpredictable currents of life.