Saint Benignus c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot's "Saint Benignus," a small print. The figures and radiating light are striking. How do you interpret this work through its materiality? Curator: The etching process itself is key. Callot revolutionized etching techniques. The tools and materials used for production directly influence the aesthetic and its dissemination. Consider how the printmaking process made this religious imagery accessible beyond the elite. Editor: So, the material process democratizes the image. Curator: Precisely! The print isn't just about religious iconography; it's about the means of production and consumption in 17th-century society. Its value stems as much from its function as an object of devotion and a commodity. Editor: That’s a fresh perspective; I hadn't considered the social context of its production. Curator: Examining the material and process shifts our understanding of the work beyond the purely representational.