Saint Marcellinus c. 16th century

Curator: Look at this fascinating woodcut, "Saint Marcellinus," made by an anonymous artist. The print depicts scenes from the life and martyrdom of the saint. Editor: Immediately, it feels stark. The thick, bold lines create a dramatic, almost brutal narrative. You can see the materiality of the wood block itself. Curator: Exactly. The imagery reflects a time of religious persecution, with Marcellinus being confronted for secretly burying Christian martyrs. The crown and robes are symbolic of both spiritual and earthly power. Editor: The visual weight of the text surrounding the images seems so important—and it crowds the figures. It emphasizes the context, that this image was made as part of a story to be read and understood, not simply admired. Curator: The act of burying the dead has profound symbolism here. It is not merely a physical act, but a spiritual one—a refusal to let the memory of faith be buried. Editor: Thinking about how this was made—the labor and time of carving the block, printing the image—speaks volumes about the value placed on spreading the message of this saint. Curator: It's a powerful example of how images, even in their simplest form, can carry immense cultural and religious significance. Editor: And how the method and material underscore the image's purpose.