Bettina Werner on Wall Street

Bettina Werner on Wall Street

BETTINA WERNER
In Hoc Signo Vinces (You'll Win Under this Sign) © Bettina Werner 1999

"In hoc signo vinces in Latin means ”in this [sign] you will conquer.” As the legend goes, while marching with his army Constantine looked up in the sky and saw a cross of light and the Greek words ”by this, be victorious!”, (or In hoc signo vinces in Latin). That night, Constantine had a dream in which Christ told him that he should use the sign of the cross against his enemies, making it one of the earliest Christian symbols. Centuries later, acclaimed Italian artist Bettina Werner used the same symbol and phrase when creating the artwork above."

A human being
is a unique being,
single and unrepeatable.
Work hard at fulfilling yourself.
With courage,
mark out in your life
irreversible red cross,
and keep going, erect,
along your marvelous path.
Learn to be alone
and keep yourself company.
Let your mind listen and absorb.
Let the most dazzling secret
salt of the earth
penetrate you.
Demand intransigence,
rigorous verticality.
Don't be afraid of facing the unknown,
and with violent desire
say YES to life.

Bettina Werner

BACK