Heilige Sisinnius van Cappadocië after 1636

Editor: Here we have Frederick Bloemaert's engraving of *Heilige Sisinnius van Cappadocië*, created sometime after 1636. The almost fussy linework lends a kind of otherworldly quality to the scene. What leaps out at you when you look at this? Curator: Well, immediately, I see a saint figure, a holy man of sorts, clearly separate from the distressed figures cowering to his left. The tree next to him is twisted and gnarly like he is its guardian. The details make me consider the artist's frame of mind while creating this artwork. Was Bloemaert also seeking solace or refuge? Did he know much about Saint Sisinnius? Editor: That’s interesting. I didn't really connect the figures, visually or thematically. Are you suggesting the figures are seeking help from him? Why? Curator: Note how their eyes are all trained on the saint, how they grasp at their rosaries, the implicit contrast between the shaded group and the saint bathed in light. Perhaps they are beseeching the saint for protection against illness? Or maybe he's simply there to bless them. And let's not forget the overall *feel* of Baroque art – full of drama and intense emotion. Look at the line quality again; don’t you think that dramatic contrast in textures amplifies that mood? Editor: Now that you mention it, the Baroque theatricality is evident, almost as though this still image captures a moment in a play. I see how it pulls everything together. Curator: Exactly. This artwork seems simple at first glance, but, like most worthwhile things, the deeper you dig, the more rewarding it becomes. I think what’s powerful here is the artist capturing and holding onto a story that perhaps feels far removed from their life, and in that capturing, finding their own little reflection in the pool of narrative. It’s almost like keeping the story alive, not for dogma, but to be a piece of humanity to hold in the palm of their hand. What a gift, right? Editor: I agree. Thanks for that unique take. I’ll definitely view Bloemaert's work with fresh eyes going forward.