Saints Maxentius and Leander c. 17th century

Editor: This tiny etching, "Saints Maxentius and Leander" by Jacques Callot, depicts a brutal scene. There’s violence, but also what looks like saintly suffering. What historical narratives might be informing this piece? Curator: Consider the context of religious persecution. Callot, working in the 17th century, taps into a history of martyrdom, using it to perhaps critique power structures of his time. How does the work engage with ideas of resistance and faith? Editor: So, the suffering becomes a form of silent protest? Curator: Precisely. The act of enduring such violence, becomes a statement of defiance. It asks us to consider the ongoing power dynamics inherent in the representation of saints and their suffering. What do you make of that Decem inscription? Editor: It situates it in a specific historical timeline, doesn't it? Thanks, that gives me a lot to think about! Curator: Indeed. It highlights art's ongoing conversation with history and power.