H. Franciscus van Paola wekt een kind tot leven 1655

Jean Boulanger created this print of Saint Francis of Paola bringing a child back to life. Notice the saint’s hand, hovering just above the infant’s head, a gesture brimming with divine energy. This motif echoes through time, resonating with ancient depictions of kings and gods bestowing blessings or healing. Think of the laying on of hands, a practice found in numerous cultures, from Egyptian royalty to Christian rituals. The gesture becomes a conduit, a physical link between the earthly and the divine. Consider how this symbol has transformed; what began as a sign of power evolved into an expression of compassion, a tangible representation of hope against the darkness of mortality. Here, Boulanger captures not just a miraculous event, but a powerful, collective desire to overcome death. It is a primal urge, deeply embedded in our subconscious, a visual echo that transcends centuries.