Bartolomeüs de apostel 1614

This engraving of the Apostle Bartholomew was created by Dietrich Krüger. Here, Bartholomew is depicted holding a flaying knife and raising his right hand, while standing in front of two decorative columns. This imagery is connected to the Apostle's martyrdom, as he was skinned alive. The knife, an instrument of torture, becomes a symbol of faith, courage, and the ultimate sacrifice. Throughout history, similar motifs of martyrdom and sacrifice appear. Think of early Christian art depicting saints with the instruments of their suffering. The flaying knife, seemingly macabre, invites us to contemplate the psychological depths of faith and suffering. The image is a complex intersection of pain and spiritual transcendence engaging viewers on a profound, subconscious level. Observe how the image of martyrdom continues to resurface, evolving through different eras and cultural contexts. The knife remains a potent symbol, its meaning continuously shaped by humanity's enduring fascination with suffering, sacrifice, and the search for meaning in life's most extreme experiences.