Saint Livier c. 17th century

Curator: Here we have Jacques Callot's engraving, "Saint Livier," from the early 17th century, a small but potent piece. Editor: My god, it’s gripping! The headless figure holding his own head—it's a macabre dance of saintliness and brutality. Curator: Indeed. Callot's masterful use of etching allows for incredible detail in the armor and the implied textures of the landscape, which reflects the evolving printmaking techniques of the period and the rise of print culture. Note how the procession in the background emphasizes the social context of Livier's martyrdom. Editor: It's also beautiful. The halo blasting from his neck—a fountain of light! It transcends the gruesomeness. Makes you consider faith, sacrifice, and the sheer…drama of it all. Curator: Considering the context of religious conflict at the time, Callot uses the print medium to communicate religious narratives to a broad audience. Editor: True. The piece manages to be both repulsive and utterly mesmerizing. Curator: Precisely, and that tension, I believe, is what makes it so compelling even today. Editor: Well, I'm certainly going to need a moment to process that.