Martelaarschap van heilige Ursula met pijl in haar borst en ondersteund door engel 1623 - 1660

This engraving by Pieter de Bailliu captures the martyrdom of Saint Ursula, her breast pierced by an arrow. Angels attend to her, one offering a laurel wreath, a classical symbol of victory adapted by Christianity to signify triumph over earthly suffering through faith. The arrow itself carries a potent, primal charge. As a weapon, it delivers death swiftly. Yet here, it signifies Ursula's spiritual transport to the divine. We see echoes of this motif across cultures – consider Cupid's arrow, which pierces the heart to inspire love. In Ursula’s case, however, the arrow inspires devotion rather than eros. The image presents the paradox of Christian martyrdom. Agony becomes ecstasy, as suggested by the upward gaze. We see the psychological power of symbols to transform visceral experiences. The arrow, once a harbinger of death, now carries a promise of eternal life. Observe the cyclical progression of symbols throughout history, how they resurface and evolve, accruing new meanings along their winding paths.