Charity c. 17th century

Curator: This is Giovanni Battista Pasqualini's "Charity," an engraving of remarkable detail and symbolic weight. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the contrasting textures—the billowing clouds above against the sharp lines defining Charity and her children. Curator: Indeed. The figure above, perhaps representing divine providence, seems to direct events, his wheel a symbol of fate and change. Charity, as the allegorical mother, embodies nurturing and earthly concern. Editor: And the strategic placement of the cross beneath her—a visual anchor uniting maternal love with Christian virtue, further emphasizes the work's intended message. Curator: Placing this print within the context of the Counter-Reformation, it speaks to the Church’s emphasis on good works and maternal ideals as a response to Protestant critiques. Editor: A powerful synthesis, then, of form and content, where the artist’s choices reinforce the prevailing social and religious narratives. Curator: Precisely. It encourages us to think critically about the roles assigned to women, and the power structures at play. Editor: And for me, the stark contrasts and precise lines evoke a sense of moral clarity, making this print an effective didactic tool of its time.