The Incredulity of Saint Thomas 1575 - 1609

Curator: Here we have Annibale Carracci's "The Incredulity of Saint Thomas," a painting likely worked on between 1575 and 1609, now housed here at the SMK. Editor: The stark contrast of light and shadow immediately grabs you, doesn't it? It feels intimate and a little unsettling, like witnessing a deeply personal moment. Curator: It certainly reflects the Baroque style's dramatic use of light and shadow. Carracci is portraying the biblical scene where the Apostle Thomas doubts the resurrection of Christ, demanding to touch his wounds before believing. Editor: That gesture, Thomas's hand reaching for the wound... it speaks volumes about doubt, faith, and the need for tangible proof. It feels almost invasive, doesn't it? Psychologically, there’s a raw honesty there that still resonates centuries later. Curator: Absolutely. Think about the historical context, too. This painting was created during a period of religious questioning and reformation. The Catholic Church used art to reinforce its doctrines, and this image aims to inspire faith through the undeniable evidence of Christ's suffering. Editor: It is propaganda on some level. And that focus on Christ's wounds, making it so visual... it connects to the historical and very visceral understanding of the divine body as a source of spiritual truth. What also stands out to me is how the faces in the background are shrouded in shadow, heightening that focus. It creates a sense of voyeurism but also intimacy within that tight, interior space. They're witnesses, just as we are. Curator: They're indeed witness to that tension between doubt and belief, cleverly rendered by Carracci with the masterful use of the oil paint on the canvas. Consider, for example, how that light emphasizes the pallor of Christ and Thomas's vibrant robes... the very point of faith's struggle. Editor: And to witness it, filtered through the cultural memory imbued in these symbolic interactions… I come away with so much more respect for how art and devotion shape society. Curator: Yes, art shapes faith just as much as the other way around, doesn’t it? Hopefully the artwork prompts even more pondering among our guests.