Saint Florian (restrike) 1500 - 1540

Editor: Here we have Hans Schäufelein's "Saint Florian (restrike)," created sometime between 1500 and 1540. It's a woodcut, etching and print - a fascinating combination. The use of line work is incredible. I'm really struck by the energy and drama...like a scene pulled straight from a fiery dream. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: Well, first, I’m sucked into that explosive energy. You know, it reminds me of trying to capture a storm in a bottle. The swirling forms juxtaposed with the rigid architectural lines create a fascinating tension. Do you feel it, how the lines carve out so much emotive space? It's so Northern Renaissance. And, Florian was known to be the patron saint of firefighters and this work surely represents his image! What else catches your eye? Editor: That's true, there is an odd, yet, alluring combination. And that reminds me of an intense scene! I was caught up in how the water almost doesn’t look like water - it looks like smoke, or even a solid, frozen waterfall! Plus, the figure has an odd expression that isn’t quite in line with my expectation of a saint. Curator: Exactly! Isn't it marvelous how something so static can convey such violent movement and odd imagery? Consider how, perhaps, his inner thoughts are what really matters - not how his features looked in real life! Editor: I never thought of it that way. I tend to focus too much on how the elements fit the definitions. Thanks! It’s really amazing how much meaning can be layered into a single image. Curator: Precisely! That's the magic. Always keep your mind receptive and the art will find a way to make sense!