Silver Statuette of St. Simon, from the Wittenberg Reliquaries 1472 - 1553

This woodcut of Saint Simon, by Lucas Cranach the Elder, is part of the Wittenberg Reliquaries. Observe the saint, haloed, holding a saw—his emblematic attribute, a symbol of his martyrdom. This saw is not merely a tool, but a potent signifier linking Saint Simon to his gruesome fate of being sawn in half. Consider the gesture of his hand upon his chest, a posture of piety and solemnity, echoing through centuries of Christian art. One can find it in countless depictions of saints and holy figures. Yet, this gesture transcends mere religious iconography; it resonates with a universal expression of inward reflection, a silent acknowledgment of the divine within. It taps into our collective memory, reminding us of the enduring power of symbols to convey profound emotional and spiritual truths. The image acts as a cultural carrier, transporting the pathos formula of martyrdom across time.