Saint Stephen c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot’s “Saint Stephen,” an etching, although undated. The composition, framed within an oval, depicts the saint’s martyrdom, a rather intense scene. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: Note Callot's command of line; observe how the density of hatching sculpts the figures, creating volume. How does the artist use the etching technique to differentiate textures, such as the smoothness of skin versus the roughness of the stones? Editor: It's interesting how the angel above contrasts with the violence below. Curator: Precisely. Consider the interplay between the celestial and the terrestrial, and what that might say about the subject’s martyrdom. The etching, in its very structure, creates meaning beyond the narrative. Editor: I see it differently now; thank you for pointing that out. Curator: My pleasure. Visual analysis reveals much about an artwork's power.