H. Catharina van Alexandrië 1751

This print of Saint Catherine of Alexandria was made by Jan Punt. Here, the saint stands victorious, a martyr's palm in one hand and a sword in the other, her foot firmly planted on a defeated figure. The sword, a symbol of justice and power, has long been associated with saint Catherine, embodying the strength of her convictions. Yet, the palm frond is even more telling: since ancient times, it represents triumph and eternal life. Think of Roman gladiators, celebrated with palms, or early Christian martyrs, whose palms symbolized victory over death. The image of a figure standing over a defeated foe echoes through history. It is a powerful visual shorthand for triumph, its emotional impact immediate and profound, engaging viewers at a subconscious level. This non-linear progression reveals how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different contexts.