Saint Epiphanius c. 17th century

Editor: This etching, "Saint Epiphanius" by Jacques Callot, shows the Saint exorcising a demon from a woman. It's so small! What can you tell me about the role this kind of imagery played at the time? Curator: Consider the context of the Counter-Reformation. Prints like this weren't just devotional; they were tools. How might the Church have used inexpensive, reproducible images like this to reinforce its authority and power? Editor: So, this was like propaganda, showing the Church's triumph over evil through its saints? Curator: Precisely. Callot was creating a visual narrative, reinforcing the Church's role as protector and miracle worker. Editor: That's a fascinating way to understand such a small piece, thinking about its impact on public perception. Curator: Indeed. The politics of imagery are often most potent in these seemingly simple forms.