The Four Fathers of the Church 1435 - 1503

Israhel van Meckenem created this engraving, *The Four Fathers of the Church*, in the late fifteenth century. Each Father is depicted with their gospel and halo, emblems of their divine wisdom. They are portrayed in separate compartments, as if in private chambers of thought. Consider the halo, that luminous ring above each saint's head. It is not merely a symbol of holiness; it echoes across millennia, from the sun discs of ancient Egyptian deities to the aureoles of Roman emperors. This symbol resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts. The act of writing, too, is deeply symbolic. Each Father is shown in the act of recording sacred texts, connecting them to the long tradition of scribes and scholars who, throughout history, have preserved and transmitted knowledge. This iconography reflects a deep-seated human impulse to archive and interpret our experiences, underscoring a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level.