Saints Peter and Paul c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Jacques Callot's "Saints Peter and Paul," a tiny etching. I'm struck by the fine lines and the detail he achieves. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Callot was a master printmaker. Note the physical labor, the copper plate, the acid, the press. This wasn't divine inspiration; it was craft. Consider the market for prints like this – devotional images for mass consumption. Editor: So, it's about more than just religious figures? Curator: Absolutely. Think about who owned these prints, where they were displayed, and how the mass production of images was changing society. It democratized art, making it accessible beyond the elite. Editor: That makes me see it in a completely different light. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It's always good to remember the means of production when looking at art.