Saint Simon c. 1527 - 1530

Curator: Here we have an etching, "Saint Simon," by an anonymous artist. Editor: It’s stark. The lines are so direct, giving it a very immediate feel, almost raw. Curator: The directness speaks to the democratization of images through printmaking; religious iconography wasn't just for the elite. Editor: Look at the way the lines define his robes – you can almost feel the weight of the fabric, the process by which the artist had to carve the image. Curator: And note the inclusion of the saw above Simon's head; that's a crucial symbolic attribute, directly alluding to his martyrdom. Editor: Yes, the materiality carries a certain weight, imbuing the saint with a sense of both power and vulnerability. Curator: It reminds us how deeply intertwined religious art was with societal accessibility. Editor: Precisely. It’s not just an image, it's a testament to labor and access.