Heilige Laurentius als diaken met rooster staand in nis 1500 - 1575

Editor: This engraving, made sometime between 1500 and 1575 by an unknown artist, is called "Saint Lawrence as a deacon with a grill standing in a niche.” It's at the Rijksmuseum. The most striking element to me is the grid-like pattern of the grill he’s holding. What catches your eye? Curator: The grid catches my eye too! It is indeed a fascinating detail, a visual symbol heavy with meaning. What you might not realize, if you weren’t already acquainted with the poor fellow, is that it’s actually Saint Lawrence's attribute, you see. Tradition holds that he was martyred by being roasted alive on a gridiron! So the artist gives us a rather poignant symbol here. It also acts, compositionally, as a rather bold geometric interruption amidst the softer lines of the figure and the niche. It practically hums with quiet strength, don't you think? Editor: Oh wow, that’s intense! Knowing the story behind it really shifts how I see it. It’s not just a pattern anymore; it represents his suffering. The palm branch, I’m guessing, symbolizes his martyrdom as well? Curator: Precisely! It serves as another visual marker of his saintly status, almost acting like an announcement. Think of it as a medieval meme. These symbols would’ve been instantly recognizable to viewers at the time. Imagine this image as a fragment of a story. What part of his story do you think the image conveys, apart from his identity, perhaps? Editor: It kind of humanizes him, I think. He’s just standing there calmly. Maybe it’s suggesting acceptance or resilience. It definitely adds another layer to the impact of the grill. Curator: I agree, there's an element of calm acceptance. And I'd wager that an element of his character – the source of his courage -- comes through across the centuries in those patiently etched lines. Art – especially devotional art such as this print — can be powerful precisely because it invites this kind of lingering reflection and conversation. Editor: Definitely! Thanks for pointing that out; I learned a lot about symbols and stories today!