Heilige Maxelendis after 1626

Curator: This is an engraving of "Heilige Maxelendis," dating from after 1626, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Well, hello there, stern-faced saint! She's quite the stoic vision. I feel a surprising blend of reverence and maybe a tiny pinch of dread. That sharp sword... Curator: Indeed! The anonymous artist really captured that duality. Look at the line work; see how the engraving meticulously renders her garment folds, giving a tangible weight to her attire. The print medium allowed for the wide circulation of this imagery, serving both devotion and political power. Editor: It's the halos, for me. That radial halo… it is like a spotlight forcing devotion but does it feel performative rather than profound? Also, I’m struck by the juxtaposition of the smooth face versus that roughly hatched cloak. What choices led to such variance? Curator: The variation serves, in a way, to amplify her status; the smooth face denotes her divinity, whereas the heavy folds convey tangible earthly connections and thus the historical weight of the Baroque. Do you suppose those rendering methods would have also had specific labour implications? How does production align to Baroque concerns? Editor: Well the Baroque loved flourish! That’s clearly articulated here. That weapon, I suppose it's not only a weapon, but an object, painstakingly designed and constructed through dedicated craftsmanship. Each element embodies labor, trade, and probably some complex economy, from the mining of metal to the crafting of the hilt. What can you tell me about Maxelendis herself? Curator: Saint Maxelendis, revered for her strength of faith, refused marriage, which led to martyrdom. This print embodies those ideals—look at how the soft curve of the palm mirrors and contrasts the solid straight line of the sword! Editor: She is indeed an enduring image, this mix of softness and rigidity, captured with such precise use of line. Thinking about the engraver at their work, pressing ink and plate...that tactile connection across centuries. I won't forget this particular material story. Curator: And hopefully, our listeners too can find their own threads in this intriguing tapestry, the weight of history imbued in something as simple and lasting as an engraving.