Saint Brendan and the Sea Monsters c. 20th century

Editor: This is Robert John Gibbings' "Saint Brendan and the Sea Monsters," a print depicting a ship amidst fantastical sea creatures. What cultural symbolism do you see at play here? Curator: The woodcut revives the medieval legend of Saint Brendan, a tale blending Christian pilgrimage with pre-Christian Celtic sea lore. The sea monsters become symbols of both earthly temptations and the sublime otherworld. How does Gibbings use the black and white contrast? Editor: The stark contrast really emphasizes the chaotic energy and makes the monsters seem all the more imposing! I see a battle between faith and the unknown. Curator: Precisely. It reminds us that, even in our modern understanding, symbols echo ancestral stories. Editor: I never thought about it like that. Thanks for the insight!