Frontispiece c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot's "Frontispiece," a small etching. The figure seems burdened by his possessions and tattered clothes. What strikes you about this print? Curator: The lines themselves reveal a great deal. Note how Callot employs etching – a laborious process involving acid, metal plates, and skilled manipulation. Consider, too, how this print circulates – a multiple, made for consumption. How does that influence our understanding of the subject matter? Editor: It's interesting to think about the labor involved in making something meant to be widely distributed. I never considered that! Curator: Exactly! It invites us to think about the artist's role in a broader economic and social framework. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't really considered before. Thanks!