Brazen Serpent 17th-18th century

Curator: We’re looking at Jean Audran’s engraving, "Brazen Serpent." It’s a dramatic scene filled with figures in various states of distress. Editor: Yes, immediately, I’m struck by the contrast—the polished technique against the raw emotion. The cross-hatching builds depth, but the figures… they’re wrestling with something visceral. Curator: Audran masterfully utilizes line and shadow to depict the biblical story where Moses erects a bronze serpent to heal snakebite victims. Notice how the figures’ gazes and gestures converge toward the central serpent. Editor: It speaks to the labor, the crafting of belief. The serpent itself becomes an artifact, a tool for faith. I wonder about the engraver’s process, translating faith through his craft. Curator: The composition creates a theological hierarchy. The serpent's elevated position, Moses's authoritative stance—it reinforces the divine order. Editor: For me, it raises questions about desperation, too. What materials were at hand? What did it cost these people to believe? Curator: A compelling interplay between aesthetic form and narrative content. Editor: A poignant reminder of belief's tangible cost, materially wrought and emotionally charged.