Saints Peter and John Heal the Cripple at the Golden Gate c. 17th century

Editor: So, this is Jacques Callot's "Saints Peter and John Heal the Cripple at the Golden Gate." It's an etching, and I'm struck by how theatrical the composition is. What can you tell me about the cultural context of this piece? Curator: It’s interesting to view this through the lens of Counter-Reformation art. Consider how images were used to reinforce religious doctrine and encourage piety. How does this etching function as a form of visual rhetoric in its time? Editor: It's clear this image could definitely be used to demonstrate and inspire religious belief. I never thought about art being used for visual persuasion! Curator: Precisely. Recognizing the social function of images helps us understand the powerful role art played, and continues to play, in society.