Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew c. 18th century

Curator: This is Carl Ludwig Wüst’s “Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew,” currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you most about it? Editor: The raw, brutal intensity. The stark contrast between the executioner's focus and the saint's almost serene acceptance, it's unsettling. Curator: Bartholomew's martyrdom, flaying, is a potent symbol. Note how Wüst captures his upward gaze, a visual cue signaling faith transcending earthly suffering. It connects to a long history of martyr imagery. Editor: I see the cultural weight, definitely. These images reinforced the power of the church and the state through the demonstration of unflinching religious piety. How effective that was is another question. Curator: The unwavering faith in the face of extreme violence, that’s a powerful message that has resonated across centuries and cultures. Editor: Right, and the image itself becomes part of that cultural memory, reshaped by each new encounter. Food for thought.