Triangular obelisk of the mystic Trinity c. 15th century

Editor: This is "Triangular obelisk of the mystic Trinity," by an anonymous artist. It has so many interesting symbols! What do you see in this piece? Curator: Considering the title, I see an attempt to visually reconcile classical and Christian imagery. Obelisks were originally Egyptian monuments, later adopted by the Romans, and here, it is reimagined through a Christian lens. Editor: So, the artist is using a pagan form to express Christian ideas? Curator: Precisely! The placement of symbols like the sun, trowel, and Greek letters suggests an alchemical or hermetic interpretation of Christian doctrine. It reflects the period's broader cultural effort to synthesize ancient wisdom with emerging Christian beliefs. Editor: I never thought of it that way. It seems like this piece tells a story about cultural exchange. Curator: Indeed. And it makes you consider the power dynamics involved when one culture adopts and adapts the symbols of another.