Saint Thaddeus or Saint Jude c. 17th century

Curator: Here we have Jacques Callot's etching, "Saint Thaddeus or Saint Jude," a striking image rendered in exquisite detail. Editor: The figure's weathered face and massive cloak, combined with the axe, project an image of both power and weariness, a really compelling duality. Curator: Callot, who lived from 1592 to 1635, was a master of etching, and this piece, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, really shows his mastery. The halo indicates religious iconography and the axe is a symbol of martyrdom. Editor: The axe, a symbol of Jude's martyrdom, dominates the composition. It's a brutal object juxtaposed with the saint's otherwise gentle demeanor. The violence is a memory. Curator: Right, and note how Callot places the saint above a scene of chaos, perhaps depicting the very world from which he seeks to offer guidance. The etching suggests a complex interplay between saintly duty and earthly suffering. Editor: Yes, a somber reflection on the burdens of faith, and the price sometimes paid for holding onto it. Curator: Indeed. Callot's work always gives us something to consider about the era in which it was made.