Saint Odilus c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot’s etching, Saint Odilus. It’s a small work, just 7.6 by 4.9 centimeters, and currently resides at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My goodness, it has a spooky vibe. All those skulls! It feels like a memento mori, a reminder of death's inevitability, staring right back at you. Curator: Exactly. The skulls symbolize mortality, a common theme in religious art. Odilus, an abbot, is often depicted contemplating death, urging his monks to remember their own mortality. Editor: And the figures lurking in the background, are they observing the scene? Are they a part of this meditation? Curator: It adds a layer of perspective, doesn’t it? They could be seen as witnesses, underscoring the universal nature of death. Callot's skill with line creates a really strong sense of drama. Editor: It's a stark and powerful image. Makes you ponder your own place within this cycle. Curator: Indeed. Callot captures that moment of reflection, inviting us to consider the transient nature of life.