Assumption of the Virgin with Cherubim c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Jacques Callot's "Assumption of the Virgin with Cherubim." It's a small etching, but the detail is incredible. I find it quite moving. What's your take on this piece? Curator: Well, imagine Callot, hunched over a copper plate, meticulously etching this scene of divine ascension. The Virgin floats upwards, surrounded by cherubs, while below, the apostles gaze in wonder. It's a moment of ecstatic faith, rendered in miniature. What strikes you most? Editor: The sheer number of figures! It must have taken ages to etch each one. Curator: Exactly! And look at how he uses light and shadow to create depth. The Virgin is radiant, almost blinding, while the apostles are shrouded in earthly shadow. It’s a spiritual drama, played out on a tiny stage. Editor: It really opens up a whole new way of appreciating prints. Curator: Absolutely! And it makes you wonder about the power of belief, doesn't it?