Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian c. 18th century

Curator: Let's turn our attention to this print, Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian by Johann Gottfried Thelott, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s stark. The contrast immediately evokes a sense of drama, a story unfolding with heavy consequence. The lines are etched with intention. Curator: Indeed. Note how Thelott employs meticulous cross-hatching to sculpt the forms. Observe the anatomical precision in Sebastian's figure, lending a heroic quality to his suffering. Editor: Heroic, yes, but also consider the labor involved in such a detailed print. Each line is a physical act, a testament to the craftsmanship that elevates a simple material—paper—into a devotional object. Curator: It's a fascinating interplay of line and form. Thelott masterfully captures the moment of quiet resolve before the storm. Editor: And yet, within that supposed quiet, there is the potential for the raw materials of the print to become something that challenges and transforms the viewer.