The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula and her companions at Cologne, from The Reliquary of St. Ursula 1489

This scene of “The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula and her companions at Cologne” was painted by Hans Memling as part of the Reliquary of St. Ursula, likely in the 1480s. The painting depicts the legend of Saint Ursula and her group of virgin companions who were all allegedly murdered in Cologne. These women, figures of purity, are shown as victims of political and social violence, embodying the vulnerability of the feminine in a patriarchal society. Memling doesn’t shy away from portraying the moments of violence as the women are attacked by men with swords and bows. The faces of the women, a mix of fear and resignation, invite us to reflect on the intersection of gender, power, and violence in both historical and contemporary contexts. The piece transforms individual suffering into a collective experience of mourning. It challenges us to confront the uncomfortable reality of the historical persecution of women and how these narratives shape contemporary discussions around gender and violence.