Saint Stephen of Citeaux c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot's "Saint Stephen of Citeaux," a small etching from the early 17th century, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It has such a reverent tone. The saint’s downcast gaze and the kneeling figure evoke a real sense of humility and repentance. Curator: Consider the context: Callot's era was one of immense religious and political upheaval. Prints like this, circulated widely, played a crucial role in shaping religious identity and promoting certain ideologies. Editor: And what about the gender dynamics? Note how the figures surrounding the saint seem to mirror the subservient pose of the kneeling figure. Curator: Precisely. The image isn’t just about piety; it’s about power structures, performed identities, and the dissemination of a particular vision of sanctity within a society grappling with immense changes. Editor: It makes you think about who had access to these images and what meanings they extracted from them. Curator: Indeed, each small etching by Callot contains a complex interplay of faith, politics, and social control. Editor: It's amazing how much cultural weight such a small work can hold.