Martyrium des Heiligen Quirinus von Malmédy before 1673

Editor: We're looking at "Martyrdom of Saint Quirinus of Malmedy" by Jacob Jordaens, a drawing done before 1673 using chalk and watercolors on toned paper. The scene is quite violent, but something about the upward gaze of some figures and the cloudy, heavenly backdrop feels hopeful. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This drawing, with its frenetic energy, depicts more than just a moment of brutal martyrdom; it shows the enduring power of faith made visible through symbols. Do you see how the torturers are actively pulling away from the saint, yet they are still anchored to him? Editor: Yes, their gestures seem very strained. The martyr figure seems at the center of the strain, but accepting of it. Curator: Exactly! It speaks to the idea of free will versus destiny, a common theme in Baroque art. And look at the lion at the bottom, an ancient symbol often associated with resurrection, echoing hope amid suffering. Are there other symbolic linkages that draw your eye? Editor: Perhaps the figures above in the clouds? They look like angels and might refer to a future reward for the Saint. But how would viewers at the time interpret this? Curator: The symbols act as a bridge between the earthly and the divine, offering comfort and reinforcing beliefs about the afterlife. They reassure viewers of the promise of salvation, using well-understood visual shorthands. We see Jordaens skillfully employing imagery that's both familiar and deeply moving. Editor: So it is about collective cultural memory, even a collective hope. I see now the image resonates with layers of historical and emotional context. Curator: Precisely. The martyrdom isn’t just an isolated event but a continuation of a larger narrative, continually reinterpreted. Editor: It is amazing to unpack these layers. Thanks! Curator: A pleasure to share the journey of visual discovery!