Christ Being Beaten on His Back; Christ Being Judged; Christ Being Led Away by Soldiers c. 17th century

Curator: This is a print by Jacques Callot entitled "Christ Being Beaten on His Back; Christ Being Judged; Christ Being Led Away by Soldiers." Editor: It's immediately striking how much detail Callot packs into these small, oval scenes. The violence feels incredibly close and visceral. Curator: Yes, Callot's expertise as an engraver allowed him to depict complex scenes with incredible precision. Consider the labor and skill required to create the fine lines and the textures. Editor: And look at the political implications—the depiction of Roman authority, the vulnerability of Christ, and the mob mentality of the crowds. It speaks to the power dynamics and the injustices of the time. Curator: Absolutely, and we must consider the audience for whom these prints were made. What did it mean to circulate these images of suffering and injustice? Editor: It makes you wonder what Callot wanted to convey about power and injustice through these scenes of Christ's Passion. Curator: It certainly pushes us to consider the social and material conditions that allowed Callot to make and distribute this work. Editor: I agree. Seeing it through that lens makes the artwork even more resonant today.