Church Am Steinhof, design for the east side windows 1905

Koloman Moser conceived this design for the east-side windows of the Church Am Steinhof, portraying a divine hierarchy through stained glass. Dominating the composition are saints, each figure encapsulated by a halo, an ancient symbol of spiritual illumination and sanctity, rooted in early solar cults and adopted by Christianity. The halo echoes across cultures and epochs, from the aureoles of Roman emperors signifying divinity to the luminous mandorlas surrounding Christ in Byzantine mosaics. Here, Moser employs it not merely as an attribute of holiness but as a psychological focal point, drawing the viewer's eye and instilling a sense of reverence. Consider the flame above. This symbol, seen in ancient Zoroastrian fire temples, conveys purification, transformation, and divine presence. Its recurrence in Christian art, representing the Holy Spirit, illustrates the migration of symbols across cultural landscapes. Such motifs reveal our collective, subconscious yearning for transcendence. These images evoke a profound psychological resonance, tapping into our shared human experience.