Saint Clement c. 17th century

Curator: There's something stark about the scene in this small etching. The figure is prone in the water, with others pointing from the shore. Editor: This is Jacques Callot’s "Saint Clement," a very small work housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The scale belies the violence of the story depicted, really. Curator: Absolutely. Clement, a Pope, was said to have been tied to an anchor and drowned by pagans. Seeing the anchor here, almost like an extension of his body, is chilling. Considering the role of the church and its power structures, there's a commentary embedded here about martyrdom. Editor: Right, and the etching itself exists within a complex web of religious imagery circulated at the time. The act of pointing feels accusatory, doesn't it? It makes me think about who is telling this story and from what perspective. Curator: That's a really important observation. It prompts us to examine the power dynamics inherent in the representation of religious figures and their legacies. Editor: Indeed. The image encourages a broader conversation about faith, power, and the ways in which narratives are constructed and disseminated. Curator: A lot to unpack from such a small image. Editor: Definitely leaves you with something to consider.