St. Simon 1523

"Saint Simon," an engraving made in 1523 by Albrecht Dürer, presents us with a figure of solemn determination. Dürer, working during the Reformation, captured the shifting religious sentiments of the time in his art. Here, Simon stands with a saw, the instrument of his martyrdom, its sharp teeth glinting against the somber background. His weathered face and bare feet speak to a life of hardship and devotion. Dürer’s detailed rendering of Simon’s robes adds a tactile quality, contrasting with the brutal simplicity of the saw. During the Reformation, the Catholic church was criticized for its corruption and extravagance, with reformers advocating for a return to simpler values. Dürer, while religious, was known to have many friends who were sympathetic to reformation ideals. This image of St. Simon taps into this sentiment, offering a visceral representation of faith and sacrifice. It invites us to reflect on the complex intersections of belief, suffering, and identity during a period of profound transformation.