Michel Amelot 1675

This is Robert Nanteuil’s portrait of Michel Amelot, an engraving that captures the archbishop in striking detail. A symbol of immense historical and cultural power hangs from his neck: the cross. The cross, an emblem rooted in the martyrdom of Christ, extends far beyond its religious origins. We see echoes of it in ancient pagan symbols representing the intersection of the divine and the earthly. Think of the Ankh in ancient Egypt, a symbol of life itself. Over time, this symbol of death and salvation has been passed down through history, its meaning transformed and recontextualized. The image invites us to ponder the powerful and often subconscious effect of symbols in shaping our understanding of the world. As we observe Michel Amelot, consider how symbols resurface, evolve, and are imbued with new meanings across the ages.