Apostel Andreas met schriftrol 1591 - 1629

Johan Barra created this engraving, “Apostel Andreas met schriftrol,” sometime between 1581 and 1634. Barra lived in an era marked by religious conflict, the rise of print culture, and the exploration of identity. Here, Saint Andrew is depicted with a scroll, his gaze lifted towards the heavens. The print not only serves a religious purpose but also reflects the complex interplay between faith, knowledge, and power. The scroll symbolizes the written word and theological doctrine, central to the Reformation and Counter-Reformation debates that defined Barra’s time. Andrew's upward gaze evokes a sense of divine inspiration, but it also invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in religious representation. How did images like these shape the identities and beliefs of their viewers? In its detailed depiction of Saint Andrew, this print embodies the personal and communal struggles of faith, identity, and representation.