Heilige Juliana van Nicomedië by Anonymous

Heilige Juliana van Nicomedië

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Anonymous

@anonymous

Location

Rijksmuseum
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Artwork details

Medium
engraving
Dimensions
height 115 mm, width 76 mm
Location
Rijksmuseum
Copyright
Rijks Museum: Open Domain

Tags

#portrait#baroque#old engraving style#caricature#portrait reference#history-painting#engraving

About this artwork

This is an engraving of Saint Juliana of Nicomedia, made by an anonymous artist, that can be found here at the Rijksmuseum. The print presents a striking contrast in its composition. The saint is depicted with smooth, flowing lines, haloed and serene. The devil, lurking behind her, is rendered with sharp, jagged lines and a sinister expression. This juxtaposition is not merely decorative; it’s a structured dialogue between good and evil, rendered through line and form. Notice the saint's gesture, she is holding a drape as if she is about to drop it. This formal device may be interpreted through a semiotic lens. Here, the image engages with the concept of unveiling, challenging fixed meanings and inviting us to reconsider traditional interpretations of virtue and vice. The artwork doesn’t just depict a saint; it poses questions about the nature of belief and the very act of seeing.

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