Saint Jean Gualbert trampling a monster with two human heads and a serpentine body, a flying demon in background to right, an angel with a cross flying to left, from 'Frontispiece and four scenes from the life of Saint John Gualbert' (Frontispice et quatre vignettes pour une vie de Saint Jean Gualbert) 1640

Stefano della Bella created this print of Saint Jean Gualbert in the 17th century, a time of religious and political upheaval in Europe. At first glance, the artwork depicts a triumphant saint. But look closer: Gualbert stands on a monster. The grotesque figure is a hybrid, a multi-headed serpentine body. This imagery reflects the anxieties of the time, where religious and political dissension was often portrayed as monstrous or demonic. The winged demon on the right, and angel on the left adds to the drama. Stefano della Bella developed this piece during the Baroque era. The emotional intensity of the artwork invites us to reflect on how religious figures are constructed in the popular imagination. It also encourages us to consider how historical narratives often simplify complex social and political realities.