Heilige Bartholomeus 1480 - 1500

Curator: This engraving, dating from somewhere between 1480 and 1500, is entitled "Heilige Bartholomeus," or Saint Bartholomew, by the artist known only as Monogrammist IA. Editor: There's an undeniable gravity to the figure. The lines are so pronounced, the shading giving form and weight, especially to the robes, though somewhat diminished by the visible lines going different ways on its surface. Curator: Indeed. Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles, is here depicted holding a book, most likely alluding to the scripture he preached, along with a knife that refers to his martyrdom, a cruel reminder of the perils of spreading subversive knowledge under Roman rule. The stark contrast inherent in the engraving medium highlights the moral dichotomies that defined this epoch. Editor: And the composition emphasizes that verticality – almost as if drawing him upwards into the ethereal space suggested by that perfect, though somewhat simple, circular halo. His curly hair also seems to mirror the halo's roundness, connecting him more to this heavenly state. It's almost as if he wants us to look up at something, even if it's outside the engraving itself. Curator: Consider how this work challenges conventional perceptions of holiness in its depiction of masculine authority versus vulnerability, achieved through the contrast of fabric weight, delicate halo, and sharp blade, offering insights into power, resistance, and identity as a saint or divine figure in art. Editor: The robes appear heavy and overwhelming compared to Bartholomew, doesn’t it? As if the material form, or the Church and Christian beliefs, are obscuring the man. Curator: Such an observation only adds another layer to understanding that martyrdom in medieval Europe was also related to cultural imperialism and the destruction of regional beliefs to allow Christian theology to take over. Editor: Interesting perspective. So much conveyed through the use of line and tone. Curator: A dialogue across centuries! These historical narratives within images can invite powerful exchanges between art, historical accounts, social concerns, and artistic skill, no matter how disparate those perspectives might be.