Pelagia Mima Antiochena 16th-17th century

Curator: Hans Collaert the Younger created this engraving titled "Pelagia Mima Antiochena." Look at the figure in the foreground, dwarfed by the forest around her. Editor: The figure's posture immediately strikes me as conveying intense grief and isolation. Curator: Indeed. This work illustrates the story of Pelagia, a former actress and courtesan who, upon converting to Christianity, renounced her past life. Editor: So, we see her here in the wilderness, performing penance. Her choice to embrace solitude reflects the constraints placed upon women seeking redemption. Curator: Absolutely. The landscape, divided between the city she left behind and the isolation she now inhabits, really emphasizes the transformative nature of her choice. The text reminds viewers of her life as a "actress" and "courtesan." Editor: It's a powerful depiction of the complex intersections of faith, gender, and societal expectations. Curator: Exactly, and a potent visual narrative about the possibility of change.