Peter helbreder en lam 1572

This drawing, by Maarten van Heemskerck, depicts Peter healing a lame man. Notice how Peter’s gesture is one of divine intervention; he extends his hand, embodying the power to heal. This motif of healing hands appears across cultures. Consider the ancient Egyptian depictions of pharaohs touching their subjects, transferring divine favor. Similarly, the laying on of hands is a powerful symbol in many religious traditions. The posture of the lame man – his dependence and hope – taps into a deep psychological current, an echo of primal needs. This collective memory of seeking comfort is not only religious but deeply human. The symbol of healing transcends this artwork. It represents the cyclical, non-linear progression of cultural memory, continuously resurfacing in different forms and contexts. A reminder of our shared human experience.