Portret van een kardinaal omringt door putti 1599 - 1662

This engraving, made by Johann Friedrich Greuter, depicts a cardinal surrounded by putti. Dominating the upper portion is the 'IHS' Christogram, bathed in divine light, a symbol deeply rooted in Christian iconography representing the Holy Name of Jesus. This motif reminds me of ancient solar symbols and their appropriation by various cultures. Think of the halo, a circle of light, found in both pagan and Christian art. The 'IHS' Christogram, similarly, radiates with spiritual energy. Note the putti, or cherubic children, a motif carried forward from antiquity where they represented Eros or Cupid. The presence of such symbols speaks to a collective memory, a cultural echo resonating through time. These aren't mere decorations; they're vessels of meaning, imbued with centuries of belief and subconscious understanding. They are also subject to cultural transmission, passed down through generations. Their persistence is a testament to the power of images to stir our souls, engaging us on a subconscious level with deep-seated emotional and psychological forces. Symbols undergo a cyclical progression. Surviving, evolving, and reappearing across time, imbued with new meanings, thus continuing their immortal journey.