Saint Thomas, with a lance in a right hand and a book and square in his left hand 1606

Curator: Here we have Luca Ciamberlano’s engraving of Saint Thomas from 1606, now residing at The Met. My immediate impression is one of intense focus; that gaze feels like it could pierce right through you. Editor: It’s fascinating how this print uses relatively simple lines to evoke such texture – look at the curl of his beard, the crinkles around his eyes. We know engravings involve laborious carving into metal, often copper plates during this period. Curator: And those eyes! Thomas is often called "Doubting Thomas," but the artist here seems more interested in the saint’s role as a builder or architect. He holds a lance representing his martyrdom, of course, but also a book, a symbol of learning, and most unusually, a square, a tool used in construction. Editor: Ah, the tools tell the story! This combination speaks volumes about the societal expectations projected onto religious figures. Construction—measuring, planning—suggests divine order and building up the Church both materially and spiritually. It's an incredible layering of meaning through very practical instruments. Curator: It also says much about the intended audience and consumption. Was this commissioned by a religious order that also engaged in building? The prominence of the square almost seems like an advertisement, or at least a nod to the patrons who might value that skill. Editor: Ciamberlano cleverly balances faith with practicality through these objects, creating a rich dialogue between tangible reality and divine ideal. Even his halo appears almost as if sketched in – a fleeting idea manifested in physical form. Curator: Absolutely. Considering it's a northern renaissance work in baroque style, that combination adds to its intriguing complexity. The dramatic lighting – hallmarks of the baroque – draw the eye straight to Thomas' face, emphasizing his intense, thoughtful gaze, but rendered through a precise process that underscores the Northern Renaissance penchant for detail. Editor: For me, this portrait encapsulates how artisans and religious symbols often fuse. The labor, technique, materials are far more entwined in crafting this "image" than first appears. It all provides insight into faith and craft during that time. Curator: Agreed. It also challenges that notion of effortless artistic genius. Thank you. Editor: Yes, thank you.