St. Thomas 1620

Georges de la Tour's 'Saint Thomas' presents us with a man holding a spear, its sharp point illuminated. Thomas, known for his initial doubt of Christ's resurrection, is often depicted with this instrument, alluding to his eventual martyrdom. The spear, a symbol of power and authority, transcends time, appearing in ancient Greek art with Athena’s spear, or in Renaissance paintings of soldiers. Yet, here, it is imbued with a psychological weight. Thomas grasps it, not with aggression, but with a contemplative intensity. This recalls the ancient Roman symbol of the 'hasta pura', awarded for valor, stripped of its point and power to wound. This gesture conveys the intense emotional state of a man grappling with faith, reminding us of the cyclical nature of belief and doubt that has engaged viewers across different epochs. It speaks to how symbols resurface and evolve, bearing new, yet deeply rooted, meanings.