Troops on the March c. 17th century

Editor: This etching, "Troops on the March" by Jacques Callot, feels like a scene plucked from a history book. All those tiny figures moving forward. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, it's a dance of destruction, isn't it? A beautifully rendered chaos. Callot captures the *feeling* of war, the relentless march, the sense of inevitable doom hanging in the air. The leader points onward, but to what end? Editor: Doom, that's a strong word! I was thinking more...organized chaos. Curator: Perhaps! But doesn't that orderly formation just amplify the tragedy? Makes you wonder about the personal cost of all this marching. Editor: I hadn't considered that before, seeing the personal cost in the rows of soldiers. Curator: Art lets us feel and see the cost, doesn't it?