Saint Mary of Egypt c. 16th century

Editor: This anonymous print, "Saint Mary of Egypt," is striking. I'm curious about the contrast between the figures. What symbols stand out to you in this woodcut? Curator: The nudity of Mary, covered only by her hair, contrasts starkly with the clothed monk, Zosimas. Nudity often symbolized truth and vulnerability. What might this imply, placed next to the figure of monastic authority? Editor: Maybe it’s about her journey from sin to repentance? Seeing her state of being before and after meeting Zosimas. Curator: Exactly. And consider the text above; it's a narrative meant to be read alongside the image, reinforcing the visual story of transformation and redemption. What does that synthesis of text and image suggest? Editor: That the story and the image must work together to deliver a specific meaning, a moral lesson. That makes so much sense.