Saint Chunegundis Augusta 16th-17th century

Editor: This is "Saint Chunegundis Augusta" by Raphael Sadeler the Elder, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a dramatic scene; Chunegundis is standing before a king, while a figure writhes in flames. What's the story being told here? Curator: This print depicts the ordeal of Saint Chunegundis, accused of infidelity. Her innocence is "proven" by walking on hot ploughshares without injury. This narrative reinforces patriarchal power structures, where a woman's virtue is publicly scrutinized and judged, often through inhumane trials. Do you see how the male figures observe, their gazes policing her body and actions? Editor: Yes, their eyes are definitely judgmental. So, the artwork isn't just celebrating her faith, but also highlighting the injustice she faced? Curator: Precisely. It exposes the social and political dynamics where female agency is suppressed, and virtue becomes a tool for control. It prompts us to question these power structures and their lasting impact on gender relations. Editor: I didn't see that at first. It's disturbing to think about how relevant these issues still are. Curator: Indeed. Art can be a mirror reflecting uncomfortable truths about our past and present.