Parade of Turkish Cavalry c. 17th century

Curator: Jacques Callot, born in 1592, captured this "Parade of Turkish Cavalry" in an etching. Look at the masterful detail in just 21 by 30 centimeters. Editor: It's chaotic. The eye jumps from the rearing horses to fallen figures, a sea of conflict distilled into a small frame. Curator: Callot's skill lies in depicting such grand scenes within a print. During this era, images like these shaped European perceptions of the Ottoman Empire. Editor: All those spears and flags...a clear display of power, but even the horses seem distressed, embodying vulnerability despite the show of force. Curator: Exactly. And that duality, the spectacle versus the human cost, is central to understanding the political messaging of the time. It's propaganda, but also a glimpse into lived experience. Editor: Yes, those repeating symbols build a narrative far beyond just a military display. It speaks to enduring anxieties and ambitions, doesn't it?