Martyrdom of the Twelve Apostles (Altarpiece for the Church of the Holy Apostles in Cologne, left wing) 1435

Stefan Lochner created this left wing of the Altarpiece for the Church of the Holy Apostles in Cologne. It depicts the martyrdom of the twelve apostles. The altarpiece was created during a time of religious fervor, when the Church played a central role in people’s lives. But there was also rising unease with the corruption and abuses of power within the Church. Looking at the different scenes, the violence is palpable. What do the faces of the executioners tell us about the relationship of power and faith? The figures are set against a gold background, lending a sacred quality to the scenes. Yet the graphic violence suggests something very different, as it underscores the physical suffering endured for religious belief. The work invites us to reflect on the complex relationships between faith, power, violence, and the human body. It compels us to consider the legacies of religious persecution and the ways in which such histories continue to shape individual and collective identities.