De vier evangelisten 1717

Bernard Picart rendered this engraving of ‘The Four Evangelists’ sometime around the early 18th century. Dominating the scene are the evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, each accompanied by their traditional symbols: an angel, a lion, an ox, and an eagle, respectively, representing key aspects of Christ's nature and ministry. The recurrence of animal symbolism reminds me of ancient mythologies, where animals embody divine attributes. The lion, often associated with strength and royalty, echoes images of kings and deities across cultures, from the Lion Gate of Mycenae to the throne of Solomon, always conveying power. In a peculiar twist, Carl Jung saw such symbols as archetypes embedded in the collective unconscious. The persistent reappearance of the lion motif, for instance, might tap into a primal recognition of authority, stirring subconscious emotions. Thus, Picart’s engraving is not merely a depiction but a conduit, channeling deep-seated cultural memories. The evolution of these symbols—their cyclical progression, their resurgence in new forms, and their adaptation to different narratives—illustrates how cultural memory shapes our visual language.