Saint Antiochus c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot's "Saint Antiochus," an etching. It's quite small, almost miniature. The figures have this frantic energy despite the small scale. What stands out to you about it? Curator: Considering Callot's etching process, we can appreciate the labour involved in creating such intricate lines. How does the reproduction of this image, likely intended for a wider audience, impact our understanding of the saint's narrative and its consumption? Editor: So, the printing process itself gave the artwork more reach? Curator: Precisely! The material act of reproduction democratizes religious imagery, shifting its value from purely spiritual to something more accessible and, dare I say, marketable. Editor: That's a completely different way to see it; I never thought about the printing process as part of the artwork’s message. Curator: Exactly. Recognizing the means of production allows us to understand its cultural impact more thoroughly.