St Simon 1523

Albrecht Dürer rendered Saint Simon in 1523 with the meticulous detail characteristic of engraving. Simon stands solemnly, clutching a saw—his emblematic attribute alluding to the instrument of his martyrdom. The saw itself is a fascinating motif. We see variations of bladed instruments across cultures and eras, each echoing themes of division, transformation, and sacrifice. Consider the curved scimitars in Near Eastern art, or even the simple sickle, each a testament to humanity's complex relationship with tools of creation and destruction. This duality resonates deeply, tapping into our collective psyche, a dance between progress and primal fear. In Simon's case, the saw is not merely a carpenter’s tool turned weapon but a symbol of unyielding faith and ultimate sacrifice. The image stirs something primal within us, reminding us of the cyclical nature of symbols and the enduring power of archetypes. It is a visual echo that continues to reverberate through the corridors of time.