St Gregory the Great with Sts Ignatius and Francis Xavier 1626

Guercino’s painting features St. Gregory the Great amidst a celestial assembly, marked by a dove symbolizing divine inspiration, and lilies held by St. Francis Xavier signifying purity. Consider the dove. It isn’t merely a symbol of peace, but of the Holy Spirit, descending as it did during Christ's baptism. This motif echoes through centuries, from ancient depictions of divine messengers to modern emblems of serenity. Yet, its essence remains—a conduit between the earthly and the divine. The lily, too, carries echoes of the past. From ancient Crete, where the lily adorned frescoes as a symbol of royalty and divinity, to its adoption as a Marian symbol of purity and innocence, its journey through time reveals the complex interplay of cultural memory. These aren’t static symbols; they evolve, accumulate layers of meaning, and touch deep-seated emotions within us. Here, the painting engages our subconscious, sparking a dialogue with the past and present.