The Popess 1751

This is 'The Popess,' a card made by Claude Burdel in the 18th century. The central figure is a woman wearing papal attire, including the triregnum, the three-tiered crown. This symbol of authority, traditionally reserved for the Pope, is here donned by a female figure. The Popess holds a book, possibly of sacred texts, suggesting wisdom or knowledge. The motif of a female figure holding a book goes back to antiquity, seen in depictions of muses and sibyls. The book is a symbol of hidden knowledge, a concept that can be traced back to ancient mystery cults. In these cults, the book was seen as a vessel for divine truth, accessible only to initiates. The Popess's book invites reflection on concealed wisdom, challenging viewers to consider the power of knowledge, and the cyclical progression of symbols.