Apostel Bartholomeus c. 1590 - 1637

This is an engraving of Apostle Bartholomew by Egbert van Panderen, created around the early 17th century. The composition is striking; Bartholomew's figure dominates the frame, and his introspective gaze directs our focus. Notice the contrast between the detailed lines etching his aged face and the smoother, more expansive areas of his robe. This contrast works as a symbolic representation of the tension between the internal and external. The lines might be interpreted as a semiotic code, where aging and experience challenge the conventional notions of saintly perfection. Bartholomew's presence, marked by his impending martyrdom, destabilizes established categories of the sacred and the profane. Consider the formal arrangement. The knife, positioned prominently, isn't just an attribute, but a signifier of the violence and sacrifice central to Christian martyrdom. It’s through this sharp materiality that Panderen engages with complex theological concepts, inviting viewers to contemplate the intersection of faith, suffering, and representation.