Saints Apollonia, Barbara, and Agatha 1490 - 1500

Curator: Welcome. We’re standing before "Saints Apollonia, Barbara, and Agatha," a tempera on panel painting from around 1490-1500, currently residing at the Art Institute of Chicago, attributed to Master Alejo. What catches your eye about it? Editor: Well, right away, the gold. It practically shimmers across the room. And their faces, so serene, almost otherworldly. It's like peering into a dream gilded with divine light. But, there’s also a solemn quiet about it. Curator: The artist certainly leans into the International Gothic style here, doesn’t he? The three female figures are easily identifiable through their associated objects; for instance, Saint Apollonia is holding a pair of silver pliers and a palm branch, a symbol of martyrdom. We believe this piece originally belonged to a larger altarpiece. Editor: Pliers... that gives me a shiver. But isn’t it amazing how these objects become like little clues, unlocking centuries of stories and beliefs? I always wonder, looking at art like this, what was the role of women back then? What kind of influence did they exert? Did these images affect them at all? Curator: The visual representation of female saints certainly played a part in shaping expectations and offering powerful examples within a religious and patriarchal framework. They functioned as both aspirational models and also as symbolic figures to legitimize or reinforce particular views on female virtue. And you see how each saint is presented within her separate panel, complete with unique, highly ornamental Gothic arches that help separate and isolate the women? Editor: Right. It makes each a star in her own right. And their eyes, their gazes draw you into their personal spaces even if they’re displayed next to each other! I wonder if someone would find a different, shared message among the figures in this triptych, based on their life experiences today. Curator: Undoubtedly. Examining art across temporal divides reveals ever-shifting layers of interpretation and understanding, conditioned by social progress. Editor: And what a fantastic thing it is! It makes me so excited and inspired!