Heilige Margaretha 1583 - 1587

"Heilige Margaretha" was created by Johann Sadeler I in the late 16th century. Sadeler, who lived through a period of religious reformation and conflict, presents us with an image that transcends the purely religious, speaking to broader themes of female strength and resistance. The print depicts Saint Margaret, a figure of unwavering faith, standing triumphantly over a dragon. Here, Margaret embodies a powerful stance against adversity. The sword besides her symbolizes not only her power but also perhaps the painful choices she had to make. Sadeler’s work invites us to consider the narratives of female saints not just as religious stories, but as allegories of female empowerment. It reflects a period where the assertion of identity, especially for women, was fraught with challenges, making Margaret's victory all the more resonant. Sadeler seems to suggest that the path to sainthood, or perhaps, to any form of liberation, often involves confronting and overcoming personal demons.