Empress Helen, Mother of Constantine c. 15th century

Editor: This is a woodcut of Empress Helen, Mother of Constantine. It's a lovely little thing. The anonymous artist renders Helen with simple lines. She seems quite pious, kneeling before the cross. What do you make of it? Curator: It speaks to the power of belief in times of turmoil, doesn't it? Helen's story, finding the True Cross, was a beacon. Notice how the plants almost mirror her upward gaze. The artist uses them to frame her piety, linking her to the divine. Editor: So, it's not just about the image itself but the story it represents? Curator: Exactly. It's a snapshot of faith, of hope blooming even amidst what I imagine was a fairly complicated historical context. A reminder of how narratives shape our understanding. Editor: I see it now. Thanks!