Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence 1571

Curator: The churning darkness of this image just pulls you right in, doesn’t it? Editor: It does, it’s incredibly dynamic. This is Cornelis Cort’s "Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence", and the level of detail achieved through engraving is really striking. Look at how the shadows intensify the drama. Curator: He’s being roasted alive, so it is a little grim, yes. But there's also this sense of release, of transcendence. I mean, the angels floating above seem to carry the promise of heaven. Editor: Absolutely. The technical skill on display to depict the saint’s body, the flames, and the texture of the garments really underscores the labor and craftsmanship involved in creating this image. You also start to think about who was making it, and who was buying it. Curator: It’s fascinating how Cort balanced the earthly horror with the divine hope, really. Editor: A truly compelling piece that makes you think about belief, labor, and sacrifice, all rendered through the meticulous process of engraving.