Saint Perpetuus c. 17th century

Curator: Here we have Jacques Callot’s "Saint Perpetuus," a print measuring a modest 7.6 by 4.9 centimeters, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts the saint overseeing construction. Editor: It feels like a fleeting glimpse into a world both ordered and chaotic, doesn't it? The fine lines almost hum with the energy of the workers. Curator: The etching technique allowed for detailed depictions of labor and architecture, blurring the lines between the sacred and the mundane aspects of 17th-century life. Editor: I love the way Callot renders the bishop's cloak, so precise, yet also flowing, it adds to his stature in the midst of all that toil. Almost like a dance between authority and labor. Curator: Indeed, Callot's work is a powerful statement about the role of the church and the community in shaping the built environment and reinforcing social hierarchies. Editor: It’s funny how a tiny piece of paper can contain such grand narratives. I’ll be pondering that for a while. Curator: Yes, quite remarkable how Callot's craft offers us insight into the materiality of faith and power.