Promenading Couple 1617

Editor: Here we have Jacques Callot's "Promenading Couple," an etching dating back to around the early 17th century. It's quite small, only a few inches, but the detail is incredible. The couple, seen from behind, seems to gaze out at a distant town. What can you tell us about its social context? Curator: Well, consider Callot's position. He was working in a period of immense social stratification, and prints like this served as a form of visual record, codifying those social hierarchies. The sword on the man, the woman's dress – what do these details communicate? Editor: That they are people of status, certainly. The landscape almost seems secondary to their presence. Curator: Exactly! This prioritization reflects the socio-political importance afforded to the elite class. The print becomes a record of their leisure, their dominion over the landscape. Do you think that the location in the print has importance to the artwork? Editor: That is an important point. I hadn't considered that before. Thanks!