Martelaarschap van de heilige Joris 1608 - 1650

Pierre Brebiette etched this depiction of Saint George's martyrdom sometime between 1613 and 1642. Note the sword, an instrument of death, prominently displayed above Saint George, held by the executioner. The sword is not just a weapon; it represents power, justice, and sacrifice, echoing through millennia. Consider how the sword motif appears in ancient Roman art, wielded by emperors as symbols of authority, or in medieval Christian iconography, where it signifies divine justice. Its recurrence speaks to our collective fascination with power and morality, evoking deep-seated emotions tied to our sense of right and wrong. The image of the sword connects to subconscious processes of collective memory: each time we encounter this symbol, we are reminded of past narratives of power and justice, subtly influencing our interpretation. The sword is not merely an object, it is a vehicle through which cultural memory engages with our subconscious. The cycle of this symbol continues, finding new life and meaning.