Saint Alexander of the Coals c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot's "Saint Alexander of the Coals," a delicate etching, dating back to the early 17th century. Editor: The stark contrast immediately strikes me; the composition is so minimal yet evocative. Curator: Callot made this as part of a series on saints and religious figures, situating them in contemporary social contexts. We see a man carrying supplies, presumably the saint before his role of power, and his meeting with a bishop. Editor: The precision of the line work is remarkable. Note the varying weights that give depth, that sense of volume to each figure. Curator: Indeed, the image speaks to the complex relationship between power, labor, and religious authority at the time. It reflects the struggles of the working class and their relation to the religious institution. Editor: It's precisely that tension, captured with such economy of line, that gives the print its enduring power. Curator: Examining this small print offers a lens through which to view 17th-century social dynamics. Editor: A close study of its formal qualities reveals a master at work, deftly balancing light and shadow.