Picture Explanation

Veneration of the Holy Eucharist
Copyright by Alte Galerie am Landesmuseum Joanneum, Graz (Schloss Eggenberg)

Picture Description
This first draft likely originates from Johann Wolfgang Baumgartner, who operated in Austria and Southern Germany.
The picture shows the veneration of the Holy Eucharist through the four (at that time known) continents. Europe, Asia, America and Afrika are represented by different figures.

Picture Symbolism
The picture, which is situated in Graz, was chosen as role model for the 13th International Congress of 18th Century Studies, because on the one hand it reflects the contemporary idea of globalisation and on the other hand it spotlights the common ground – formally in the context of Christianity, intentionally also associable with the idea of Enlightenment.