Johannes de Doper met kruis en lam 1637 - 1697

Jan de Bray etched this representation of John the Baptist with cross and lamb, sometime in the 17th century, now residing at the Rijksmuseum. Dominating the scene are the titular saint, his rustic cross, and the lamb, all powerful symbols within Christianity. The lamb has been a potent symbol across cultures for millennia. We see its echoes in ancient Greek rituals, where lambs were sacrificed to appease gods, a visual language adopted and transformed by Christianity to represent Christ's sacrifice. The lamb here becomes a symbol of innocence and purity. Observe the shepherd's crook, transformed into a cross. It reminds us of ancient pastoral motifs, images of shepherds guiding their flock, a connection to the land and simpler times. The symbol of the lamb carries an emotional weight, engaging viewers with the idea of sacrifice. This image isn't just seen; it's felt in the depths of our cultural memory. Thus, the lamb and the crook, ancient symbols, persist and transform, evolving through history.