Conversion of Saint Paul c. 17th century

Curator: Jacques Callot, born in 1592, produced this print, Conversion of Saint Paul, which resides in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It's incredibly busy—a chaotic tumble of figures, with a stark contrast between the celestial realm above and the earthly turmoil below. Curator: This piece highlights a pivotal moment of transformation, portraying Paul's shift from persecutor to apostle, deeply intertwined with themes of power and divine intervention. Editor: Look at the density of lines, though. You can almost feel the pressure exerted by the printing press—labor rendered visible through meticulous crosshatching. Curator: Precisely! The etching technique Callot employs, allowing for detailed expressions, amplifies the emotional and ideological weight of Paul's journey. This imagery also touches on the politics of religious identity at the time. Editor: And those discarded shields—symbols of earthly power rendered useless! I wonder about the artisans involved in each stage of production—their labor contributing to the dissemination of this narrative. Curator: Absolutely. This work provides insight into how Callot, through his craft, mediated religious narratives within the social and political landscapes of his era. Editor: The print's intricate details force us to confront not just the narrative, but also the physical act of its making.