Heilige Agnes 1520 - 1562

Editor: We're looking at "Heilige Agnes" or "Saint Agnes" as we'd say in English. It's an engraving, so a print, from the mid-16th century by Monogrammist AC, here at the Rijksmuseum. It has such a gentle, melancholic feel to it. I'm curious, what really grabs you about this piece? Curator: That melancholic air is pitch-perfect! To me, it's a window into a soul contemplating sacrifice, filtered through the visual language of the Northern Renaissance. Notice how Saint Agnes's downcast eyes guide our gaze downwards, towards the lamb, her traditional symbol, but also, let's be real, a rather plump, almost comical, little piggy-lamb? Do you find the halo reassuring, or does it add a certain tension, contrasting with her very earthly, human sorrow? Editor: It's definitely a more relatable portrayal of a saint. Less untouchable, more like she's weighing things up. And I agree, the "lamb" does look more like a slightly cheeky piglet! It makes me wonder about the artist’s intention – was he being subversive? Curator: Precisely! Or, perhaps more generously, revealing the vulnerability beneath the veneer of sanctity. Consider the intricate detail of the engraving itself—it’s a technical marvel! The way the artist uses hatching to create depth, to imbue her with that very real sense of…being in two minds. Does the almost excessive detail pull you in or create distance? Editor: I think the detail makes it feel intimate, even though it’s a print. Almost like you're getting a glimpse into her private moment. Curator: That’s beautifully put. And maybe that's the real power here – taking these figures from stained glass and gilded altars and putting them in our emotional ballpark, messy thoughts and all. Editor: Definitely. I came expecting a serene saint, but I’m leaving contemplating the weight of devotion, thanks to a chubby little lamb and an artist with a knack for inner turmoil! Curator: Well said. It's funny how the most unexpected details—like that very same lamb—can unlock such profound human truths, isn't it?