Christ in Glory and the Last Judgment [reverse] 1466 - 1467

Emiliano Orfini da Foligno created this bronze plaquette depicting 'Christ in Glory and the Last Judgement' in the late 15th century. The piece is dominated by the figure of Christ, surrounded by hosts of the blessed, awaiting their place in Paradise. Observe the motif of the weighing of souls. This iconography dates back to ancient Egyptian beliefs, where the heart was weighed against a feather to determine one's worthiness for the afterlife. This ancient symbol, passed down through history, resurfaces here, transformed by Christian theology. Such gestures and symbols speak to a deeper, subconscious recognition. This isn’t merely a depiction of judgment, but a powerful condensation of humanity’s eternal confrontation with its own mortality. This moment captures the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth, resonating with primal emotions and archetypes. Thus, this plaquette is not just a work of art, but a potent reminder of how symbols persist, evolve, and continue to shape our collective consciousness across millennia.