Saint Benjamin c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot's "Saint Benjamin," an early 17th-century print at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels brutal, seeing the saint tied to a thorny device. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: Callot depicts the martyrdom of Saint Benjamin, a deacon persecuted for his faith. The image isn't just about religious devotion; it's a commentary on power and resistance. How does the social hierarchy of the time influence your reading of the tormentor's actions? Editor: I see the obvious power dynamic but didn’t consider the social aspect of religious persecution. Curator: Right. Consider how this image reflects societal anxieties about religious dissent and the violence used to suppress marginalized communities. It makes you think, doesn’t it? Editor: It certainly does, framing the suffering of a religious figure with sociopolitical power dynamics. Curator: Indeed, and recognizing those dynamics is crucial to understanding its enduring relevance.