['Veronica', 'Martha'] before 1890

Carl Stockmann captures in these photographs the enduring figures of Veronica and Martha. Veronica presents Christ's sweat-soaked face on her veil, a motif laden with sacrifice. Martha holds the keys to the household and the kitchen, her attributes speak of domesticity. The veil, or sudarium, that Veronica holds, becomes a potent symbol, recurring throughout art history. From Byzantine icons to Renaissance paintings, this cloth transcends its physical form. It becomes a vehicle of divine presence, a mirror reflecting not just a face but faith itself. The image on the veil appears across time. It echoes the Shroud of Turin, each a receptacle of profound sorrow. They capture the imprint of suffering, and become symbols of redemption. This act of witnessing is a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts. It shows the cyclical progression of images through time.