Apostel Simon Zelotes met zaag 1517 - 1527

Editor: So, this engraving, "Apostel Simon Zelotes met zaag," created between 1517 and 1527 by Marcantonio Raimondi, depicts Saint Simon with, quite strikingly, a saw. There's something almost haunting about how he's gazing away. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The saw is absolutely key. The visual weight carried by the instrument of martyrdom connects us directly to Saint Simon's narrative, embedding violence, sacrifice, and faith itself into a single image. Notice the halo, too - less about individual saintliness, and more about visually encoding authority and divine favour. Editor: So the saw isn't just a tool, it's a symbol of his story? Curator: Precisely. The power lies in the object's immediate connection to his suffering. Raimondi wants us to not just see Saint Simon, but to understand his place within a larger spiritual and historical narrative. Consider how many people would have recognized this instrument instantly – it’s a powerful act of cultural memory. What feelings does the specific *type* of saw evoke for you? Editor: Thinking about it now, it evokes images of carpentry. Which feels like quite an ordinary trade compared to being an apostle. The violent contrast is now all I can see. Curator: Exactly! The composition deliberately blends the sacred and profane, constantly reminding the viewer of Simon's humanity and earthly end, and the psychological tension this creates. What do we carry with us that tells our own story? Editor: I hadn't thought about it like that, the personal and cultural load that objects carry. That makes this print incredibly powerful. Curator: Indeed, and how these symbols are interpreted continues to evolve. The image allows for new connections and meanings each time we encounter it.