Cult of the Devil c. 17th century

Curator: Jacques Callot's small etching, "Cult of the Devil," depicts a scene of apparent chaos and ritual. Editor: It's unsettling. The frenzied figures and the looming goat-like figure create a sense of primal fear. Curator: Callot, working in the early 17th century, frequently portrayed societal anxieties through his prints. This piece, though small, likely reflects the era's fear of the occult and social disruption. The Harvard Art Museums hold this miniature. Editor: The composition, framing the debauchery within an oval, almost makes it feel like a forbidden glimpse into something private and sinister. It’s a commentary on power, marginalization, and the demonization of 'outsiders,' wouldn't you say? Curator: Precisely. The etching's circulation would have reinforced existing power structures by demonizing perceived threats. Editor: It leaves me pondering how such imagery fueled the persecution of vulnerable groups, shaping our collective memory of marginalized communities. Curator: Indeed, its historical impact resonates even today. Editor: A grim, yet compelling, reflection of human anxieties and the misuse of power.