Beatrice II 

Gustave Doré created this engraving of Beatrice, a celestial figure, surrounded by angels. The halo above her head, a common symbol in religious art, signifies her sanctity and divine status. But the halo's origins are far older than Christian art. We see early forms of such radiant crowns in ancient sun worship, from the Egyptian god Ra to the Mithraic mysteries. These symbols of light were meant to convey supreme power. In Doré's image, it’s the psychological power of faith that is invoked. The way Beatrice gazes upward, seemingly lost in devotion, elicits feelings of longing and reverence. The image is an emotional magnet, drawing us into the spiritual drama. It represents the cyclical journey of symbols through time, and the power of images to express deep human emotions, shaped by cultural memory.