Martyrdom of Saint John the Evangelist c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot's "Martyrdom of Saint John the Evangelist." It's a tiny print, but the drama feels enormous. I'm struck by the contrast between John's calm demeanor and the violence around him. What do you make of the scene? Curator: Callot's prints, though small, were widely circulated. Consider the politics of imagery at the time. This print reinforces the power of the church through the suffering of its saints, meant for public consumption and instruction. Editor: So it's less about the individual saint and more about the institution of the Church? Curator: Precisely. How does the composition contribute to this reading? Editor: The saint is centrally placed, almost spotlighted, making him a symbol rather than an individual. Thanks, that gives me a lot to think about! Curator: Indeed. The power of prints lies in their ability to shape public perception through repeated viewing.