Saint Michael c. 17th century

Curator: Jacques Callot's "Saint Michael" presents us with a complex interplay of power and justice, rendered in miniature. Editor: The image immediately strikes me as a study in contrasts; despite its small size, the scene pulses with a monumental struggle between good and evil. Curator: Absolutely. Saint Michael, wings spread, stands triumphant over the defeated devil, his scales of justice in one hand, a spear in the other. The composition and the saint's gaze reinforce dominant readings of righteousness suppressing transgression. Editor: The scales are a crucial element; they represent not just justice, but also the weighing of souls. Michael as a psychopomp, guiding and judging, reminds viewers of their own moral responsibilities. Curator: It's impossible to separate this image from its cultural context. The symbolic weight assigned to gender and the association of evil with marginalized groups need careful consideration. Editor: Indeed. The image functions as a reinforcement of power structures within the Christian tradition. But the enduring iconography, even now, speaks to our collective hope for ultimate triumph over darkness, however we define it. Curator: Very true, that’s quite thought provoking.