Killing the Fatted Calf c. 17th century

Curator: This etching by Jacques Callot, titled "Killing the Fatted Calf," plunges us into a bustling biblical scene. It resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's intensely alive, isn’t it? Like a frozen moment teeming with chaotic energy – all those angled lines giving it a sense of urgency. Curator: Callot masterfully uses line to create depth. The architectural elements and figures fade subtly into the background. Editor: Yes, and the subject matter is fascinating. Such violence at the center, yet the overall impression isn't gruesome, but strangely celebratory. It makes me think about returning home, and the sacrifices we make for those we love. Curator: Perhaps Callot sought to capture the complex emotions inherent in the parable—joy, redemption, even a touch of brutality. Editor: Exactly! I hadn't considered the brutality, but now that you point it out, it’s very evident. Thanks! Curator: An etching like this is as much about the narrative it tells as it is about the artistry of the line itself. Editor: I’ll remember that.