H. Licidia en H. Margarita 1565 - 1630

Antonio Tempesta created this print of H. Licidia en H. Margarita using etching and engraving techniques. Notice how the oval composition, enclosed by an ornamental border, directs our gaze to the stark scene within, immediately evoking a sense of confined violence. Tempesta masterfully uses line and form to depict a narrative frozen in time. The figures are carefully arranged, creating a dynamic tension between the executioners and their victims. The artist uses light and shadow to enhance the emotional impact, emphasizing the figures' musculature and the brutality of their actions. The print can be read as a visual text, where elements like the figures' poses, expressions, and the surrounding details serve as signs. It offers a complex interplay of power, faith, and martyrdom, challenging viewers to engage with the historical and religious context within which it was produced and interpreted. This small, framed moment invites ongoing reflection.