Heilige Juliana van Nicomedië after 1626

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.