Saint Gorgonius and Dorothy c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot's "Saint Gorgonius and Dorothy," a small etching. The stark lines create a rather brutal scene, quite different from typical saintly depictions. What do you make of the formal choices here? Curator: The starkness, as you say, stems from Callot's masterful use of line. Observe the density and direction. The crosshatching creates volume and shadows, conveying the figures' torment. Note how the oval frame contains the violence, forcing us to confront its stark reality. Editor: That's interesting. So the composition itself heightens the emotional impact? Curator: Precisely. The formal elements—line, shape, and composition—become the very language of suffering and martyrdom. Editor: I hadn't considered how much the shape contributed. Thank you! Curator: A keen observation on your part. It invites further exploration of Callot's other works and the formal conventions of his time.