Saint Birius c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot’s “Saint Birius,” a delicate etching housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's a real sense of isolation radiating from this tiny print—the saint, the ship, all adrift within this oval frame. Curator: The saint, of course, carries heavy symbolism. Notice the halo and the swaddled figure. Could this be a commentary on charity and new life amidst the perils of seafaring? Editor: Or perhaps on the means of artistic production itself? Callot, known for his meticulous etching technique, is subtly reminding us of the labor involved in creating even the smallest image. Note the detail of the ship. Curator: I'm struck by how the artist has rendered the saint’s garments—the folds and textures speak of humility and devotion. Editor: Ultimately, I think it is a compact but powerful statement on faith, the sea, and the artistic process. Curator: Indeed, something to contemplate.