Apostel Simon c. 1590 - 1637

This engraving of the Apostle Simon, crafted by Egbert van Panderen, presents us with rich symbols ripe for contemplation. Simon is depicted holding a saw, an allusion to the tool of his martyrdom: he was, according to legend, sawn in half. This instrument of torture becomes an attribute, an identifier. Consider the cultural memory embedded in such an image. The saw echoes through time, resonating with other symbols of sacrifice and suffering, such as the cross, a stark reminder of human cruelty and the price of faith. This transformation of a mundane object into a symbol of profound religious significance speaks to the alchemical power of the human mind, turning torment into transcendence. It's a visceral, unsettling image, designed to evoke a powerful emotional response. The Apostle Simon, as imagined by van Panderen, is not just a historical figure, but a potent symbol of enduring faith and the complex interplay of suffering and salvation.