St. James the Less 1589

This print of St. James the Less was made by Hendrick Goltzius around the turn of the 17th century. Observe the Apostle's intense gaze directed downward, one finger pointing towards the text of the open book before him. This act of pointing, seemingly simple, echoes through art history, a gesture laden with meaning. Consider John the Baptist in Leonardo's composition, his finger raised, a symbol of divine guidance. Similarly, we see this gesture in depictions of philosophers and teachers, a way to engage the viewer. Here, however, the Apostle’s furrowed brow suggests a struggle, perhaps with interpretation or doubt. Is he pointing out a passage, emphasizing a truth, or highlighting a contradiction? This tension is at the heart of Goltzius' work. The Apostle’s gesture invites us to confront our own interpretations, to question and engage with the text, and, more broadly, with the complex tapestry of human understanding.