Martelaarschap van H. Catharina 1613 - 1665

Willem van der Leeuw's engraving depicts the martyrdom of Saint Catherine, dominated by potent symbols of faith and power. The broken wheel at her feet is a failed instrument of torture, now a testament to her unwavering belief. Yet, the wheel echoes through time, appearing in various guises—as a symbol of fortune, or as a cosmic diagram in Eastern religions. It represents cyclical change, a concept deeply embedded in our collective psyche. Even in its broken form, it suggests the eternal return, an idea that haunted Nietzsche. Note the triumphant angels descending from the heavens, a common motif, yet each holds a palm frond, symbolising victory over death, a visual echo of ancient Roman triumphs. These symbols don't merely illustrate a story, they tap into deeply rooted human fears and hopes, transcending time and culture in their endless reiteration.