Filippus c. 1555 - 1565

This is a print of "Filippus" held at the Rijksmuseum, made by an anonymous artist. The figure of Philippus is adorned with the symbols of classical antiquity that have been integrated into Christian iconography. His bare feet suggest a connection to the earth, while the book he holds signifies wisdom. We can trace the motif of the book through centuries. In ancient Greece, scrolls and tablets represented knowledge, power, and authority. In the medieval era, books became closely associated with religious scholarship and divine revelation. This symbolic weight is also found in depictions of evangelists and saints. Here, the act of holding the book conveys a psychological intensity and an emotional state of reverence. The symbolism evolves, yet retains the essential idea of divine knowledge. The book as a sacred object, continues to resurface. The image reflects our complex relationship with the past, and our desire to find meaning in a world filled with uncertainty.