Martelaarschap van de heilige Andreas 1750 - 1801

Philippe Louis Parizeau made this print of the Martyrdom of Saint Andrew sometime in the late 18th century. This was a period of dramatic social and political upheaval in Europe, as traditional hierarchies were challenged, and new ideas about freedom and equality were emerging. Saint Andrew was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He is said to have been crucified on an X-shaped cross in Greece. In Parizeau’s rendering, the figures exude emotional intensity. Andrew is front and center, almost nude, draped with cloth, and surrounded by the men about to crucify him. Parizeau’s depiction of Andrew offers an interesting perspective on themes of faith, sacrifice, and power. How does one make sense of faith when martyrdom and persecution are so visible? What does it mean to witness such brutality, and how might that shape one's own sense of identity and purpose? This print invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between belief, violence, and the human condition.