H. Philippus in gebed op de Monte Senario 1591

Antonio Tempesta etched this print of H. Philippus in prayer on Monte Senario. Here, Filippo Benizi kneels, hands clasped in devout supplication. This gesture—the joining of hands—transcends mere piety. We find its echoes in ancient votive statues, figures beseeching deities for favor or absolution. This is not merely a Christian motif, but a universal plea echoing through time. Consider the ancient Roman practice of *supplicatio*, where citizens would approach their gods with outstretched hands. The emotionality of supplication lies in its raw vulnerability, its stripping away of ego before a higher power. This primal act resonates, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The motif resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings, yet at its core, it remains: a reaching out, a bridge between the mortal and the divine.