Saint Andrew – a fragment 

This fragment of Saint Andrew was painted by Jusepe de Ribera, a master of the Baroque. The apostle is identifiable through his attribute, the X-shaped cross on which he was said to have been crucified. The cross is not just an instrument of death, but also a potent symbol of spiritual transcendence. Think of the countless artistic depictions of the crucifixion, from the early Roman catacombs to the grand altarpieces of the Renaissance. These images tap into a collective memory, resonating with our deepest fears and hopes about mortality and salvation. The upward gaze and the open mouth is a recurring motif used to communicate divine ecstasy or torment. It echoes through time, seen in the works of Bernini, in his sculptures, and El Greco, in his elongated figures reaching towards the heavens. This gesture speaks to the powerful, subconscious desire to connect with something beyond ourselves. Through the recurring motifs and symbols, the image creates a psychological engagement, pulling us into a non-linear experience that reflects the cyclical nature of history.