Sudarium van H. Veronica 1654 - 1661

Editor: We’re looking at "Sudarium van H. Veronica," an engraving by Jacob Pitau, created sometime between 1654 and 1661. It's a striking image, incredibly detailed with a somber mood… What captures your attention most about this piece? Curator: Well, first, that title: Veronica's Veil. Legend has it that Saint Veronica wiped the face of Christ with her veil, and his image was miraculously imprinted upon it. This print…it's almost visceral, isn't it? You feel the weight of that moment, the pain etched on his face, transferred onto the cloth. What strikes me is how Pitau renders texture through line. Editor: Texture through line, yes, I can see that. I mean, just look at the crown of thorns versus the smoothness of the cloth, all rendered in the same medium. Did prints like this have a particular function at the time? Curator: Absolutely! These weren’t just pretty pictures. They served as devotional objects, ways to connect with the divine. The Baroque era was all about heightened emotion, drama, theatricality – Pitau masterfully uses chiaroscuro, that contrast of light and shadow, to amplify that. It invites contemplation, almost a personal interaction with suffering. Notice how the folds of the cloth cradle the face, presenting it almost as a relic. Do you sense that tension between the public spectacle of faith and the private, intimate grief? Editor: I do, it’s right there in the balance between suffering and serenity in his expression. It feels almost cinematic, in a way. Curator: Exactly! It's like a close-up from a play. This piece whispers about devotion, belief, and the very human need to connect with something bigger than ourselves. Editor: It definitely gives you a lot to think about; thank you for bringing your perspective!