Saint Bartholomæus apostolus 17th-18th century

Curator: Here we have Jacobus Coelemans' "Saint Bartholomæus apostolus," a striking image residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The somber mood is immediately apparent, isn't it? That intense focus in his downward gaze... and is that a blade he's holding? Curator: It is. The image carries immense weight when viewed through the lens of its historical context. Bartholomew, often associated with martyrdom, specifically flaying, is here imbued with both pensive humanity and prefigured suffering. Editor: I find it striking how this potentially brutal imagery instead evokes introspection. The dramatic lighting accentuates the textures of skin, hair, cloth, transforming a narrative of torture into a study of human vulnerability. Curator: Yes, it's precisely this intersection of the physical and the symbolic that makes it so compelling. Coelemans doesn't shy away from acknowledging the historical narrative, but focuses our attention on Bartholomew's internal state, inviting us to contemplate the psychological impact of his impending fate. Editor: Ultimately, it's a powerful testament to art's ability to transcend its historical moment and resonate with our own understanding of pain, resilience, and the human condition. Curator: Indeed, a chance to consider how we grapple with identity and the legacies of power.