Saint Philip c. 16th century

Editor: This is Lucas Cranach the Elder's "Saint Philip," an etching that depicts the saint's martyrdom. The sheer number of figures and their expressions creates such a chaotic scene. What strikes you most about this work? Curator: The artist uses a rather gruesome scene to make a statement. Saint Philip is being hung, but look at the detail in the faces around him. They're not just observing, they're actively participating in something they believe is right. How does that make you feel? Editor: It’s unsettling! But it makes me think about the power of groupthink and how easily people can be swayed. Curator: Precisely! Cranach was living in a time of religious upheaval, so this work resonates beyond just the literal depiction of a saint’s death, don’t you think? Editor: Absolutely. Seeing it that way gives it a whole new layer of meaning. Curator: Indeed, there's something deeply unsettling about the image, but I think it makes it unforgettable.