Saint Judas Thaddeus c. 1545

Editor: This is Sebald Beham's "Saint Judas Thaddeus," a small engraving. It's incredible how much detail he packed into such a tiny space. What symbols jump out at you? Curator: The halo, of course, immediately signifies sainthood, but consider the club he carries. It's a powerful, almost primal symbol, often associated with his martyrdom, and the instrument that delivered the fatal blow, imbued with complex cultural memory. What does it evoke for you? Editor: It's a bit unsettling, a symbol of violence alongside holiness. I hadn't considered its connection to his death before. Curator: Indeed. The image juxtaposes the earthly and the divine, prompting us to contemplate the human experience, the cultural weight of faith, and the stories we choose to remember. Editor: Seeing those symbols together makes it much more powerful. I'll definitely look closer next time.