H. Bibiana en H. Demetria 1565 - 1630

Antonio Tempesta made this small engraving of Saints Bibiana and Demetria sometime between 1570 and 1630. The compact scene depicts, with stark realism, the martyrdom of these early Christian figures. The image creates meaning through its visual codes of power and suffering. Roman authorities are shown ordering and enacting violence. The geography and culture of Rome—the site of early Christian persecution—deeply influenced the subject matter. The work reflects the intense religious conflicts of Tempesta's time. Created during the Counter-Reformation, the print served both as a devotional object and as propaganda for the Catholic Church. Images of martyrdom reinforced faith and asserted the Church's authority. To fully understand this artwork, we need to consult historical texts about the lives of the saints and the history of the Counter-Reformation. We can examine similar prints and drawings, exploring the artistic conventions and social functions of such images. The meaning of art is always shaped by its social and institutional context.