Virgin of the Angels c. 17th century

Curator: This delicate etching, "Virgin of the Angels," is by Jacques Callot. It dates from the early 17th century and exemplifies his mastery of line. Editor: It’s like a tiny world, isn’t it? All these little figures caught in a moment of devout adoration. Curator: Precisely. Callot's skill with the burin allowed him to create incredible detail, and capture a sense of ethereal spirituality. Look at how he uses light to emphasize the divine. Editor: I find the material aspect compelling—the labor of etching, the mass production of prints making this image available across social strata. How did this imagery circulate? Curator: It's a potent reminder that these images were both spiritual and, as you say, material objects, connecting people across vast distances and beliefs. Editor: An accessible icon, almost… Curator: Exactly. Callot gives us a window into both the earthly and the divine, all within a space smaller than my palm. Editor: It makes me think about how everyday labor and devotional craft come together to create these objects. Curator: A thought-provoking intersection indeed!