H. Beatrice 1565 - 1630

Antonio Tempesta etched this depiction of H. Beatrice sometime between 1555 and 1630. Here, we see the martyrdom of Saint Beatrice, identified by her halo, at the hands of two executioners. The brutal scene is framed by a decorative oval border, a visual paradox that intensifies the drama. This motif of violence, so common in art, echoes through time, appearing in Roman gladiatorial combats, medieval crucifixions, and countless other depictions of suffering. The rope around Beatrice's neck, a symbol of restraint and control, evokes the Laocoön's struggle against the serpents, or even Christ's Passion. The image has power, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level; violence has been a perennial human concern. The cyclical recurrence of such imagery reveals how deeply ingrained these themes are in our collective memory, constantly resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings.