Martelaarschap van H. Andreas 1844 - 1907

Jenö Doby created this monochromatic work titled, "Martelaarschap van H. Andreas," using a graphic medium. The composition, tightly cropped, focuses on the central figure of Saint Andrew, surrounded by a crowd whose gazes converge on him. Doby uses light and shadow to direct our attention, creating a dramatic contrast that accentuates the emotional intensity of the scene. The strategic use of chiaroscuro invites a semiotic reading, positioning light as a signifier of divinity and darkness as a representation of worldly suffering. Through the figures' expressive gestures and somber countenances, Doby explores the boundaries of human endurance and spiritual conviction. Note how the formal arrangement directs our gaze from the saint's suffering body to the faces of the onlookers, inviting a profound contemplation on faith, sacrifice, and the complex interplay between the sacred and the profane.