Saint Emily c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot's "Saint Emily," a small etching. I’m struck by how he creates such a vivid scene with so few lines. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the etching process itself. Callot utilized a hard ground to allow for incredibly fine, detailed work. How did the material properties of copper influence the kind of prints that could be produced, and then consumed? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn’t thought about the impact of the copper plate itself on the image’s dissemination. Curator: Exactly! This wasn't just about artistic vision. Think about the role of printmaking in early modern Europe and how this work was produced, distributed, and valued. Editor: So, the value isn't just in the image, but also in the means of production and consumption surrounding it. Thanks, that gives me a lot to consider.