Saint Bruno c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Jacques Callot’s "Saint Bruno," a small etching. I am fascinated by how the artist creates such detail in such a small scale. What does it tell us about artistic labor? Curator: The etching process itself is crucial. Think of the copper plate, the acid, the press... all these elements dictated the final product. The line work, born from the burin's path, speaks volumes about Callot's craft. Editor: So, the tools and materials shaped the image as much as the artist's intent? Curator: Precisely. How might the consumption of these prints affected how artisans were perceived? Editor: It redefines "originality", I think, and makes me look at the printmaking process and tools more closely.