Saints Andochius and Thyrus c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot's "Saints Andochius and Thyrus," currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is somber. The stark lines emphasize the figures' vulnerability and the brutality of their circumstances. Curator: It's fascinating how Callot uses etching to convey such detail in a miniature format. The lines themselves become a testament to the labor and skill involved. Editor: Absolutely. And consider the haloed figures bound and suspended above the flames, enduring martyrdom—such potent symbols of faith and sacrifice! Curator: Indeed, and we must consider the economy of means at play. The printmaking process allowed for the dissemination of this image, and arguably, this message, to a wider audience. Editor: Ultimately, this small etching becomes a powerful icon, distilling complex theological ideas into a visually striking and emotionally resonant scene. Curator: Exactly, and by considering it as a material object, we gain insight into the process of production and its distribution within a society that may have needed icons such as these. Editor: It certainly makes one ponder the enduring power of visual symbols, doesn't it?