Saint Alexis 1649

Editor: Here we have Claude Mellan’s print, Saint Alexis. The etching feels both classical and deeply spiritual to me. What can you tell us about the visual symbols within this piece? Curator: Notice how Alexis is positioned: at the base of the stairs, almost discarded. The stairs, a visual metaphor, represent ascension, both literal and spiritual. Editor: So his sacrifice is emphasized by his low position? Curator: Precisely. The light above, shining down, signifies divine grace, illuminating Alexis as he embraces humility. The figures in the background, draped in Roman garb, suggest the world he renounced. Mellan asks, "What is truly valuable?" Editor: I see it now—the rejection of earthly power for spiritual enlightenment. Thanks! Curator: And it shows how potent symbolic representation can be.