Saint Servais c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot’s miniature etching, Saint Servais. It's quite small, and the scene is so strange. What’s the story behind this image? Curator: Callot situates Saint Servais within a very specific visual and socio-political history. Note the downpour miraculously extinguishing a fire - it's not just about religious devotion, but public spectacle. Consider how such imagery bolstered the Church’s influence amid societal anxieties. Editor: So, it’s less about individual faith and more about public image? Curator: Precisely. Callot expertly uses visual rhetoric to reinforce institutional power. What strikes you most about the composition? Editor: The clear, graphic style is captivating. I see how art served as a powerful tool then.