Saint Eulalia of Barcelona (fol. LXXV v) 1497

Editor: Here we have "Saint Eulalia of Barcelona," an undated engraving by an anonymous artist, held at the Harvard Art Museums. The style is quite linear, almost stark, and the figure of Saint Eulalia seems very self-contained. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I’m drawn to the way the artist uses this starkness, as you call it, to emphasize Eulalia’s unwavering faith. The details in the harp and the palm frond, symbols of her martyrdom, contrast sharply with the plain background, focusing our attention on her spiritual resolve. It almost feels like a stage, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, a stage for her unwavering faith! I hadn't considered that before. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It's amazing how a seemingly simple image can reveal so much.