St. Erasmus (copy) 1512 - 1600

Editor: This woodcut, "St. Erasmus (copy)," from somewhere between 1512 and 1600, is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's a striking image. What catches my eye is the starkness of the lines combined with the muted colors. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It is remarkable how effectively this relatively small print, with its coarse lines and simple colour palette, can evoke a powerful sense of awe and veneration. Baldung was working within a tradition steeped in symbolism. Look closely at the figure of St. Erasmus himself: What elements of his presentation stand out to you? Editor: Well, he's clearly a religious figure, based on his hat and robes. He appears to be holding something… are those his intestines wound around a windlass? Curator: Precisely! That is a gruesome detail, isn't it? The windlass is the attribute of St. Erasmus, referencing the method of his martyrdom. Imagine the visceral impact this image would have had on a 16th-century audience deeply familiar with the stories of the saints and their suffering. Editor: That makes so much more sense. So, the beauty of the execution is juxtaposed with the brutality of the narrative. I suppose, for the original audience, the symbols would’ve brought immediate recognition and perhaps reinforced their faith. Curator: Exactly. The image becomes a mnemonic device, a way to remember and internalize the stories and values associated with the saint. In a world where visual imagery played a vital role in shaping belief, this woodcut operates on many levels – aesthetic, religious, and psychological. We still connect to those emotional links centuries later. Editor: So much to unpack from one small print! Thanks for helping me see beyond the surface. Curator: My pleasure. Art offers unique views into the past and allows us to connect to it still.