Saint Roch c. 16th century

Curator: This is an engraving of Saint Roch, author unknown, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: What strikes me first is the tender expression of the angel and the playful pose of the dog at Roch's feet – a stark contrast to the implied suffering and the ravaged landscape. Curator: The engraver has employed a rigorous use of line to define form and texture, which establishes a clear visual hierarchy. The semiotic weight of the halo and the city in the background are as critical as the subject. Editor: Absolutely, but the artist's personal touch is undeniable. The almost comical proportions of the figures on the bridge… Is it a sly commentary? It invites speculation. Curator: The engraving encapsulates Roch's story through symbolic elements within a balanced, almost mathematically precise composition. Editor: Yet it’s that very tension between order and chaotic emotion that makes it compelling. A beautiful paradox etched in ink.