Heilige Domnina van Syrië als kluizenares 1590 - 1662

This print, made by an anonymous artist, depicts Saint Domnina of Syria as a hermit. Immediately, one notices the contrast between the darkness of the landscape and the saint’s illuminated figure. The engraver used the formal elements of the image, such as line and light, to intensify the spiritual nature of her existence. Domnina is shown in a kneeling posture, clutching a crucifix. The lines of her garment and the surrounding foliage direct the viewer's attention to her face, which radiates a gentle yet firm resolve. Through the manipulation of the lines, a halo is drawn to reinforce her divinity. The texture is created by the density and direction of the engraved lines, that are like a visual code, each stroke contributing to a complex semiotic system that tells Domnina's tale of devotion. The structural composition invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between the divine and the earthly. It prompts questions about how the artist is encouraging us to think about the act of seeing and interpreting the world.