St. Philip from Christ and the Apostles 1519

Hans Baldung created this woodcut of Saint Phillip as part of a series called, 'Christ and the Apostles'. Baldung was working in the early 16th century during a period of great religious and social upheaval marked by the Reformation. What I find compelling is the emotional complexity Baldung brings to this depiction of Saint Phillip. The lines etched into the wood block seem to convey a sense of solemnity. Saint Phillip holds both a book and a staff, emblems of knowledge and authority, yet his gaze seems directed inward, perhaps reflecting the turmoil of the times. Does Baldung challenge or reinforce existing power structures? The piece both honors a religious figure while also humanizing him. The artist doesn't shy away from representing the Saint with signs of aging, perhaps inviting viewers to consider the humanity inherent in religious icons. Through the contrast of the divine and the human, we are confronted with the complexities of faith and doubt, reverence and introspection.