Ornament met monstrans met Christusmonogram 1724

This Ornament with Monstrance and Christogram was created by Bernard Picart around 1714. At its heart lies the monstrance, a sacred vessel radiating light, displaying the Christogram IHS, a symbol for the Holy Name of Jesus. The radiant sun, often associated with divinity and enlightenment, recalls ancient solar deities, like Apollo. Similarly, the motif of light emanating from a central figure can be found in diverse traditions across time—from the halos of Buddhist figures to the sunbursts surrounding Egyptian gods, reflecting a universal desire to depict the divine. Notice the acanthus leaves, framing the monstrance, reminiscent of classical antiquity. The hybrid creatures, half-human, half-beast, invoke primal, subconscious fears and desires. The symbol of the sun, of light, and the way they connect to the divine have taken on new meanings in various cultural contexts throughout time. This visual language speaks to a non-linear, cyclical progression, where symbols resurface, evolve, and find new resonance across history.