Ss. Sebastian, Catherine and Roch 1585 - 1615

Paulus Willemsz. van Vianen crafted this silver plaque of Saints Sebastian, Catherine, and Roch. The arrows piercing Saint Sebastian are not merely instruments of martyrdom, but symbols deeply rooted in the collective psyche. Arrows appear in the myth of Apollo, capable of spreading disease and plague, they here represent humanity's vulnerability to suffering. Saint Roch, exposing his plague sore, and Saint Catherine, with her attribute of a book, join Sebastian. This trinity of figures invokes themes of healing, knowledge, and sacrifice. The seashell, seen on Saint Roch is often used to signify pilgrimage. It calls to mind the many journeys humans have taken throughout history to find solace or redemption in times of crisis. This image speaks to the power of the human spirit to transcend physical suffering. Such imagery taps into a primal understanding of pain and resilience that continues to resonate, reminding us of the cyclical nature of human experience.