Saint Marinus the Old c. 17th century

Curator: Jacques Callot's tiny etching, "Saint Marinus the Old," depicts a rather unsettling scene. It's part of a larger series on the lives of saints. Editor: My goodness, it's intensely dramatic! The cross-hatching amplifies the moment of sheer terror. Two bears mauling a man while onlookers casually observe…yikes! Curator: Right? The bears become symbolic agents of fate, or perhaps divine test. Note the contrast: the active violence below, and the passive observation above. Editor: The impassivity of those figures above is chilling. The bears might symbolize pagan forces, and Saint Marinus's ordeal signifies a spiritual trial by fire. Curator: Exactly. And the inscription "Israel ex." suggests the print was produced in France, adding another layer of historical context to its reading. Editor: Callot's ability to inject such emotion into such a small space is impressive. It makes you contemplate how suffering becomes sanctified, or even spectacle.