Saint Thomas c. 17th century

Editor: This is Nicolas Ryckemans’ “Saint Thomas,” housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark black and white print certainly catches the eye. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This image reflects the construction of religious figures within specific cultural narratives. Consider how power is visualized here. Saint Thomas is both a holy figure, indicated by his halo, but also holds a weapon, a halberd. What statement is Ryckemans making about the intersection of faith, power, and perhaps even violence? Editor: So, you're saying it's not just a portrait, but a commentary on the role of the church at the time? Curator: Exactly. It invites us to question the authority and potential contradictions embedded in religious iconography and its impact on society. I’m glad we could consider the layers of meaning in this work.