Saint Perpetua, Illustration from Jacobus de Voragine, Heiligenlegenden. Cologne, Ludwig von Renchen, 1485 c. 15th century

Curator: This is an illustration of Saint Perpetua, from Jacobus de Voragine's Heiligenlegenden, printed in Cologne around 1485. What strikes you first about this image? Editor: The raw energy! It's unsettling, like a nightmare scene. The crude lines and awkward figures amplify the violence. Curator: Indeed. The woodcut style, typical of early printing, emphasizes the starkness of the narrative. Perpetua was a noblewoman martyred for her Christian faith. Editor: It's interesting how the artist depicts her executioners. They seem almost clownish, yet their actions are brutal. Is this a critique of the system? Curator: Perhaps. Or it could be a way to distance the viewer from the violence, to make it more palatable. These illustrations were intended to inspire piety and devotion. Editor: Ultimately, it's a disturbing glimpse into the mindset of the time. A reminder that faith can be a dangerous thing. Curator: A stark depiction, yes, but one that speaks volumes about the cultural values and anxieties of the late 15th century.