Simon Magus and Saint Peter before Nero c. 16th century

Editor: This print, "Simon Magus and Saint Peter before Nero" by Pietro Santi Bartoli, depicts a tense confrontation. The figure floating on clouds looks almost theatrical. What's your take on this dramatic scene? Curator: It's a clash of earthly and spiritual power, wouldn't you agree? Simon Magus's levitation is pure spectacle, yet St. Peter stands firm, grounded in faith, before Nero's earthly authority. It is a battle between magic and divinity, watched by the emperor. Editor: So, it's about the nature of belief? Curator: Precisely! And Bartoli captures that tension perfectly. It's not just spectacle; it's a statement about competing claims to truth. What do you make of Nero’s expression? Does he look convinced? Editor: He seems skeptical, almost bored. Maybe he’s seen it all before. Curator: Perhaps, or perhaps he senses the deeper power at play. It's a story of faith confronting empire, and Bartoli makes us feel the stakes. Editor: I never looked at it that way. Now it seems more than just an illustration.