Heilige Juliana 1581 - 1633

Theodoor Galle created this print, Heilige Juliana, at an unknown date. Note how Juliana's figure dominates the composition, her verticality contrasting with the defeated Satan beneath her feet. The artist used the graphic medium to create an image of victory and moral strength through line and form. Consider the use of light and shadow to model Juliana’s robes. Galle employs a complex interplay of lines to convey texture, depth, and movement. The light suggests a divine illumination, emphasizing her purity and triumph. Her halo, although simple, is critical in how it marks her as a saint. The landscape, rendered with meticulous detail, provides a backdrop that amplifies the drama of the foreground. Compositionally, the placement of elements invites a reading from the defeated Satan upwards, culminating in Juliana's raised hand. It is an allegorical representation, where the victory of spirit over earthly temptations is underscored by the very structure of the artwork.