Frontispiece c. 17th century

Editor: Okay, so this is Jacques Callot's "Frontispiece." It’s an etching, so small and intricate! I’m struck by how ornate it is, especially considering its size. What jumps out at you when you look at it? Curator: It's a visual poem, isn't it? I see Callot, even in this tiny space, playing with drama. The virgin is framed. The two angels feel sculptural, but the cherubs at the bottom are playful. Notice how the weight of the text is balanced by the tree, a symbol of life, I think. What do you make of that balance? Editor: I see what you mean. It's like the heaviness of the text needs that little tree to keep it from feeling too formal. So, it's both decorative and symbolic? Curator: Exactly! Little details like that make the piece sing. It reminds me that even something small can be, well, immense. Editor: I love that, a "visual poem". Thanks for sharing that perspective.