Saint Saturnin c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot's "Saint Saturnin," a small etching housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's stark. The brutality of the scene is amplified by the delicate linework. Curator: Callot depicts the martyrdom of Saint Saturnin, dragged to his death by a bull. The architectural background suggests a Roman temple, underscoring the clash between paganism and early Christianity. Editor: And look at the precision in rendering the bull's musculature, the texture of the stone, all achieved through intricate etching techniques. The means of production really highlight the violence of the subject. Curator: Indeed. These prints circulated widely, shaping popular understanding of religious history and martyrdom. It's a powerful piece of propaganda, even in its small scale. Editor: It makes you think about how these images reinforced power structures and beliefs through their very creation and dissemination. Curator: Precisely. Art serving a purpose, for better or worse. Editor: A somber reminder of the power of images and the labor behind them.