Martyrdom of Saint Ursula? Saint Paula? 1600 - 1700

This wash and brush drawing presents the martyrdom of a saint, perhaps Ursula or Paula. Note the angel descending from the heavens bearing a palm frond, a classical symbol appropriated by Christianity to signify victory over death. Consider how the motif of the palm, once adorning triumphant Roman emperors, has been reborn here as a symbol of spiritual triumph. Even in ancient Egypt, the palm branch signified immortality, revealing a deep, cross-cultural resonance. The central saint, serene amidst the chaos, embodies a psychological state of transcendence over earthly suffering, a powerful archetype that resonates even today. The use of the palm is a testament to the enduring power of symbols, their ability to be continually re-imagined, and the complex interplay between our collective memory and individual experience of images.