Saint Theodore Confessor c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot’s etching, Saint Theodore Confessor, created sometime between 1625 and 1635. It’s quite small, just 7.6 by 4.9 centimeters. Editor: It feels unsettling, almost nightmarish. The saint looks peaceful enough, but those demons are terrifying. What's the story here? Curator: Callot captures the saint's triumph over evil, portraying the demons he supposedly vanquished. The meticulous etching technique really brings out the grotesque detail. Editor: Absolutely. And if we consider the historical context, these images are part of an ongoing political struggle. The art of this period served a pedagogical role. How did Callot negotiate the politics of imagery at the time? Curator: Callot, working in Lorraine, skillfully uses religious narratives to comment on power dynamics. The demons, symbols of chaos, might represent societal anxieties. Editor: It's powerful how such a small image can hold so much historical weight. The figures really highlight how art can engage with cultural and societal issues. Curator: I agree. It is remarkable how much Callot communicates in a small piece.