Apostel Bartholomeus c. 1470 - 1491

Editor: This engraving, "Apostel Bartholomeus" by Martin Schongauer, dating back to the late 15th century, has such striking clarity. There's a contemplative mood about the figure, but his gaze seems really intense and the knife adds this brutal tension. What do you see in this piece, especially considering its historical moment? Curator: I see a powerful intersection of faith and violence, reflective of the period's socio-political anxieties. Schongauer’s Bartholomew isn't just a religious figure; he’s a representation of marginalized voices speaking truth to power. This print exists at a point where religious dogma and individual interpretation were in fierce contest. The knife held so assertively points directly to the historical martyrdom, but it's equally a potent symbol of resistance to oppression and stands in stark contrast to the book he carries. Does that resonate with your reading? Editor: It does. The way you frame it, the knife isn't just an instrument of death, it symbolizes a challenge to existing hierarchies, not only a religious power, as we can see by its visual connection with the book. Curator: Exactly! How can we relate the act of carrying the book to a specific social or intellectual movement, in your opinion? Editor: Hmm, I’d say, he's maybe carrying both a call to action and an intellectual counterpoint? The artist creates an interesting contrast with the finely rendered fabric, making the textures so tactile in this small, stark print. Curator: Precisely. And I would even say it is related to contemporary struggles for representation. Schongauer makes visible both Bartholomew's strength and vulnerability, an essential step toward claiming visibility in society. Editor: Thinking about art as activism of sorts adds so much nuance to how I see older works. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It is necessary for the dialogue between art history and current social debates.