Willows at the Water's Edge c. 17th century

Curator: Jacques Callot, who lived from 1592 to 1635, created this piece, "Willows at the Water's Edge," which the Harvard Art Museums now hold. Editor: It's bleak, almost unsettling. The wind seems to whip right off the page. I wonder what the social climate was like. Curator: Callot lived during a time of great upheaval. We can see his detailed understanding of etching techniques, and how the socio-political state influenced his art. Editor: I see. So, the availability of materials and production methods shaped not only the physical artwork but also its distribution and reception within society. Curator: Precisely. It allows us to examine the political and cultural narratives surrounding art. Editor: It’s almost a miniature history book. I see so much in the rendering of the natural world.