H. Simon 1608 - 1649

Claude Mellan created this engraving of H. Simon, likely in France sometime in the mid-17th century. It depicts Saint Simon with a saw, the instrument of his martyrdom, set against a background of other figures. Engravings like these existed within a complex ecosystem of religious imagery. Consider the role of the church as a patron. Mellan’s work reflects a very specific theological understanding, presenting Simon as an intercessor, offering remission for sins. This idea would have been familiar to worshippers at the time. Note that the inscription is in Latin, the language of the church, suggesting that it was likely intended for educated clergy. The printmaker's signature indicates that this was not necessarily a unique work of art, but part of a wider system of distribution. Examining these prints involves tracing the networks through which images and ideas circulated and understanding the institutions that sustained them.