Saint Isaiah c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot's "Saint Isaiah," a small etching. It's incredibly violent! He's being sawed in half! What symbols stand out to you in this piece? Curator: Notice how the tree looms over the scene; trees often represent life, knowledge, or even the cross. Here, it's a cruel irony. Consider also how martyrdom is visually communicated. Is it brutality or sacrifice? Editor: It's unsettling how normal they make it look, just another day. Curator: Indeed. Callot presents a complex interplay of faith, suffering, and the banality of evil. It makes you consider the narratives we tell ourselves. Editor: I'll never look at a tree the same way again!