Heilige Euphrosina van Alexandrië als kluizenares 1644

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut depicting ‘Heilige Euphrosina van Alexandrië als kluizenares’, or Saint Euphrosyne of Alexandria as a hermit. Sichem, who lived during a time of religious reformation and conflict, likely made this work to affirm the spiritual values of the Catholic tradition. The story of Saint Euphrosyne is one of disguised identity, where gender and faith intersect. According to legend, Euphrosyne disguised herself as a man to enter a monastery, living as a monk for 38 years. Her true identity was only revealed after her death, challenging the rigid gender roles of the time. Consider the emotional weight carried by Euphrosyne as she lived a life of both devotion and concealment. The act of disguising herself speaks to a desire to transcend the limitations imposed by society, to pursue a spiritual path that was otherwise inaccessible to her as a woman. This woodcut not only tells the story of a saint, but also invites us to reflect on the ways individuals navigate societal expectations in their quest for self-realization. It’s a story of faith, identity, and the lengths one will go to in pursuit of spiritual fulfillment.