Saints Denis, Rustica, and Eleutherius c. 17th century

Editor: This etching, "Saints Denis, Rustica, and Eleutherius" by Jacques Callot, depicts a beheading, yet there is a strange sense of serenity. What strikes you most about this small but intense image? Curator: The lack of visible emotion is definitely unsettling, isn't it? Consider the historical context: religious persecution. This work, though small, speaks volumes about the socio-political climate and the power dynamics at play. How does Callot's visual language either support, or subvert, the established order? Editor: It definitely feels like a quiet protest. I hadn't considered that before. Curator: Exactly! Art can be a powerful tool for resistance.