Heilige Euphrasia van Constatinopel als kluizenares 1590 - 1662

This is an anonymous print depicting Saint Euphrasia of Constantinople as a hermit. We see her kneeling in prayer, a rosary in hand, with a devil looming menacingly behind her. Consider the figure of the devil. It is not merely a symbol of evil, but a manifestation of the inner turmoil and temptations that Euphrasia must confront in her solitary life. This echoes through centuries of art, from medieval depictions of demons tempting saints to modern psychological portrayals of internal conflict. Think of the demons that haunted Saint Anthony; their reappearance here is a powerful reminder of the enduring human struggle against doubt and despair. The image is not simply a historical portrayal; it's an exploration of the psychological landscape of faith. It evokes a sense of unease and tension, drawing us into Euphrasia's struggle on a subconscious level. We confront the echoes of these struggles in our own lives. The symbol of the devil has taken on new meanings in different historical contexts, but it never fades away.