Saint Simon 1550 - 1567

Angiolo Falconetto etched this image of Saint Simon in the 16th century. Simon is depicted holding a saw, the instrument of his martyrdom, a brutal death mirroring the violent end of many saints. The saw, a symbol of this saint, first appears as a tool of carpentry, yet its transformation into an instrument of torture reveals a deeper, subconscious link between creation and destruction. Recall the myth of Procrustes, who fitted his guests to his bed either by stretching them or cutting off their limbs. The saw, then, becomes more than a mere object; it embodies humanity's complex relationship with suffering, a motif that recurs throughout art history, evolving yet retaining its primal emotional power. This symbol's enduring presence is a testament to how cultural memory shapes our perception, resonating on a deeply visceral level. Ultimately, this image is not just a depiction of Saint Simon, but a mirror reflecting our collective psyche, where symbols constantly resurface, adapting, and perpetuating their significance across time.