Saint Marianus c. 17th century

Editor: This small etching, "Saint Marianus" by Jacques Callot, depicts a rather gruesome scene. The central figure is being hung, and the whole image feels very tense. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: Notice the date, framed by "Mart." and "April." Saint Marianus, as a martyr, is symbolically pinned between death and rebirth, between the somber Lenten season and the promise of Easter. The torturer’s pointed hat and spear? Relentless authority. Editor: So, it's not just about a single event, but a larger cycle of suffering and hope? Curator: Precisely. Callot is using Saint Marianus as a potent emblem of enduring faith, even amidst unspeakable violence. It is a potent, haunting reminder. Editor: I see it now. The image is more than its literal depiction. It’s a powerful, condensed story.