Saint Appolonia c. 15th century

Curator: This is a page featuring Saint Apollonia, an anonymous piece currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is stark simplicity—the dense text juxtaposed with the delicate linework of the woodcut creates a striking visual dichotomy. It feels both scholarly and devotional. Curator: Indeed, the composition is quite characteristic of early printed books. But let's consider Apollonia herself. Who was she? And what is her significance within the larger context of female martyrdom? Editor: Well, tradition holds she was an early Christian martyr in Alexandria, known for her unwavering faith even when her teeth were violently extracted. Thus, she's often depicted holding a pair of pincers with a tooth, as we see here. Curator: It is interesting how the anonymous artist has chosen to depict her. Her peaceful expression almost denies the violence done to her body. Perhaps the artist is attempting to present her as triumphant. Editor: Perhaps. Considering the period, it could speak volumes about the politics of religious imagery and the public role of art. The choices made—what to show, what to omit—would have been deeply significant. Curator: I agree. This piece is a potent reminder of the intersectional narratives of identity, gender, and religious devotion encoded within art. Editor: It's a compelling reminder that even seemingly simple images can hold layers of complex meaning if we're willing to look closer.