Saint Bartholomew c. 1545

Curator: This is Sebald Beham's "Saint Bartholomew," a small engraving measuring just a few inches, created sometime in the first half of the 16th century. Editor: It's striking how such a diminutive image holds so much intensity. He seems almost burdened by the weight of the blade over his shoulder. Curator: Indeed. Bartholomew traditionally carries a flaying knife, a direct reference to his martyrdom. Beham’s choice to emphasize this instrument speaks volumes. It’s about the spectacle of sainthood. Editor: And the halo feels less celebratory and more like a stark spotlight illuminating his impending doom. It ties into how cultural memory shapes our understanding of suffering. Curator: Precisely. The print, though small, was intended for wide circulation, contributing to Bartholomew's visual identity and, more broadly, the construction of religious narratives in the public sphere. Editor: It leaves me reflecting on how images can both commemorate and perhaps even normalize violence through repeated symbolic representation. Curator: A potent reminder of the enduring power of visual language, wouldn't you say?