Sankt Peter og Sankt Paul helbreder en syg foran templet 1615

Editor: Here we have Moyses van Wtenbrouck's etching from 1615, "Saint Peter and Saint Paul Healing a Sick Man Before the Temple," currently at the SMK in Copenhagen. The starkness of the lines gives it a real gravity, almost like a woodcut but with more finesse. What story do you see unfolding here? Curator: Oh, it's more than just a story; it’s a powerful intersection of faith and human frailty etched onto a metal plate! Look at the baroque dynamism; the artist really captured this pivotal moment from the Acts of the Apostles. The temple facade, meticulously rendered, looms as a silent witness to this miracle. Wtenbrouck is essentially asking, "Where do we find divinity—in grand structures or in acts of compassion?” What draws you most to the narrative? Editor: I’m struck by the body language – the way Saint Peter reaches out with such authority, almost pulling the sick man up. There is this tension, almost of resistance or doubt. The lines around their figures feel almost frantic compared to the calm, solid architecture. Curator: Absolutely, the architecture provides an immovable backdrop to this fleeting interaction! It speaks of institutions, whilst the dynamic, almost chaotic lines defining the figures remind us of our very human, often turbulent existence. Is he reaching to heal, or lift? It’s a gesture pregnant with possibility. What if the "sickness" isn't just physical? What if it's societal, spiritual? It's asking if the power of the church comes from wealth and architecture or from its care for human kind. Editor: So, it’s not just about illustrating a Bible story but questioning what that story truly means, not just then but always? Curator: Exactly! That’s where the true marvel lies – seeing those ancient stories reflected in our own contemporary struggles, etched with such beautiful lines. Editor: Thank you; I will carry this thought with me and consider this piece from now on.