Saint Bartholomew c. 17th century

Curator: This is Nicolas Ryckemans’ depiction of Saint Bartholomew, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. The starkness is immediately striking. Editor: The cross-hatching technique here really emphasizes the wrinkled skin and drapery, hinting at both age and the weight of martyrdom. One might consider the performative aspect of saintly iconography. Curator: Yes, the image is all about process, isn't it? Look at the lines that create the light and shadow—the labor is evident. The act of making this print and distributing it... Editor: That distribution speaks to the work’s potential for social influence. What does it mean to continually represent Bartholomew with a flaying knife, a symbol of torture? Does it normalize violence? Curator: Or does it function as a didactic tool, reinforcing faith through images of sacrifice and divine power? Editor: It's a potent visual, either way, raising questions about the relationship between suffering, power, and representation. Curator: Absolutely, and considering the materiality of prints, it would have reached a wide audience, influencing public perception. Editor: The ethics of representing violence—still relevant, and laid bare by this image.