Dood en wonder van Filippo Benizi 1571 - 1626

Jean Turpin’s engraving depicts the death and miracle of Filippo Benizi, a saint of the Servite Order. The scene brims with potent symbols of faith and miraculous intervention. Observe the prominent display of the crucifix, set upon an altar, flanked by candles—icons of sacrifice and divine presence. Below, Benizi's body lies in state, around which the miracle unfolds: a man rises, seemingly resurrected. This motif echoes the Raising of Lazarus and anticipates Christ’s resurrection. The upraised hand, a gesture recurring in antiquity, from emperors granting clemency to deities bestowing blessings, has evolved here into a sign of miraculous healing. Consider its parallel in classical depictions of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. This powerful gesture taps into our collective memory and subconscious yearning for salvation. Through these recurring motifs Turpin connects the viewer to a long history of hope, faith, and the enduring power of belief.