Saint Thomas c. 16th century

Editor: This is Lucas Cranach the Elder's "Saint Thomas," a woodcut print. There's a somber quality to the figure, yet the ornamental details seem to hint at a different mood. What symbols are at play here? Curator: Notice Saint Thomas's staff, almost like a scepter, yet he walks barefoot. Consider the halo, the pomegranate. These symbols speak to both earthly authority and divine calling. What tension do you see between these visual cues? Editor: The tension between earthly and divine is interesting! It makes me wonder about the role of the Saint as both a man and a symbol. Curator: Indeed. Cranach uses recognizable iconography to negotiate complex ideas about faith, doubt, and the weight of belief during the Reformation.