Assault of Two Fortresses c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot’s "Assault of Two Fortresses," a striking example of early 17th-century printmaking, found here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's incredibly detailed! There's a real sense of scale and chaotic movement conveyed in such a small image. Curator: Absolutely, and if we situate this work in the context of the Thirty Years' War, it speaks volumes about the power dynamics of the era. The image really foregrounds the brutal realities of military conflict. Editor: The etching process itself is fascinating. Consider the labor involved in creating the plate and the socio-economic structures that made such detailed reproduction possible. Curator: Indeed. Callot’s perspective, I think, offers a lens through which we can critique the glorification of violence within narratives of power, even today. Editor: It’s a stark reminder of the material costs of conflict, both in resources and human lives. The paper, the ink, the labor—all contributing to this representation. Curator: Considering its position as a document of its time, Callot's print invites us to reflect on the enduring legacy of these historical battles. Editor: It's certainly a conversation starter about how conflict is materialized and circulated.