Saint Bernard c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot’s miniature etching, "Saint Bernard," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels…austere. The stark lines create a sense of pious devotion. The saint’s humility is palpable. Curator: Notice how the composition is structured—the oval frame, the sharp contrast between the buildings and figure. Callot masterfully uses line to define space and form. Editor: The architectural tower behind Saint Bernard strikes me as phallic. It's offset by Mary and Christ on the right—perhaps a tension between the earthly and the divine? Curator: An interesting interpretation. I read it as Callot using formal repetition to build meaning, the lines creating visual and symbolic harmony. Editor: Perhaps. Either way, its graphic strength is undeniable. I am moved by how Callot captured such depth in this small space. Curator: Indeed, it offers rich territory for considering faith, form, and artistic vision.