Saint Philippe 1726

Michel Aubert created this print of Saint Philippe in the 18th century. Notice how the composition is neatly divided, left to right, between symbols of earthly and spiritual life. To the left, we see architecture, suggestive of civilization and order. To the right, the natural world is evoked, with a rugged landscape and a dense copse of trees. Saint Philippe kneels between these two realms, a figure of mediation. His body is draped in fabric, with a classical style reminiscent of ancient sculpture. The folds and lines create a sense of movement and texture, guiding our eye. In this delicate dance between form and content, Aubert invites us to reflect on the role of faith in bridging the divide between the material and the divine. The print is not just a depiction of a saint, but an exploration of the very nature of belief.