Woman with a Feather in Her Hair, Seen from the Back Between Two Men c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Jacques Callot's delicate etching, "Woman with a Feather in Her Hair, Seen from the Back Between Two Men." I'm immediately struck by the distance between the figures. What do you make of their postures and the overall composition? Curator: Ah, Callot! The master of miniature worlds. It’s almost like a stage, isn’t it? These aren't portraits, per se, but studies of types. The way the woman is framed by the men – is it protective? Or is she caught, a butterfly pinned between eager collectors? It’s deliciously ambiguous. Editor: Collectors, yes, that's an interesting read of the scene. I hadn't considered that. Curator: And that line at the bottom? "Cum Privilegio Regis." Callot’s practically winking at us, reminding us this little world is his, created by royal permission. It's all a performance, darling, a finely etched dance. Food for thought, eh?