Saint Ambrose c. 16th century

Curator: This is an early printed image, "Saint Ambrose," created by an anonymous artist. The composition is dominated by the figure of the saint seated on a throne, surrounded by onlookers. Editor: There’s a starkness to the image, achieved with the use of the black lines, and it has an almost haunting quality. I’m drawn to the hierarchical arrangement; Ambrose’s elevated position literally places him above the crowd. Curator: The symbols are important; Ambrose’s attire marks him as a figure of religious authority. The act of writing is also significant; the scribe at his feet indicates the importance of religious texts. Editor: And aren’t those power dynamics also about gender? The nearly nude boy and the other young men around Saint Ambrose, and their subordinate positions as onlookers really evoke questions of masculine authority. Curator: The print serves as a visual mnemonic. It is designed not just to show the Saint, but to trigger knowledge and memory related to him. Editor: It certainly makes me think about the ways in which images communicate ideologies, even today.