William Henry Odenheimer 1862

This portrait of William Henry Odenheimer, Bishop of New Jersey, was captured by Jeremiah Gurney. The Bishop wears a subtle cross, a symbol of profound importance. The cross, a symbol that predates Christianity, embodies notions of intersection and connection. In antiquity, it represented the four cardinal directions or the elements. With Christianity, it became the ultimate symbol of sacrifice, redemption, and faith. We see echoes of this form in various guises throughout history. Consider the ancient Egyptian ankh, a symbol of life, or the wheel in Buddhism, representing the cycle of existence. The cross stirs deep-seated emotions; it is a reminder of mortality, suffering, but also of hope and spiritual transcendence. Its presence is a powerful cultural and psychological anchor, its emotional resonance ensuring its continuous evolution and reappearance across eras.