Saint Mary of Egypt c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Jacques Callot's "Saint Mary of Egypt," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. I’m struck by the overwhelming texture created through line work. What do you make of Callot's technique here? Curator: The emphasis on line, particularly in the saint's hair and the surrounding landscape, establishes a rhythm and texture central to the work's formal qualities. Note the almost architectural rendering of the rock formations and the contrast with the saint’s figure. How does this formal contrast impact your interpretation? Editor: I guess it does bring your eye back to the figure... So it's about guiding the viewer? Curator: Precisely. Callot manipulates form to direct our gaze and, perhaps, our understanding of the relationship between the saint and her environment. The engraving itself, with its stark contrasts, creates a dramatic and visually arresting composition. It emphasizes the formal elements working in harmony. Editor: It's like the medium becomes the message, or at least, shapes it significantly. Thanks!