Nativity c. 17th century

Curator: Look at this tiny world created by Jacques Callot, "Nativity." It’s an etching, no bigger than your palm. Editor: Gosh, it’s like a dream caught in ink. All these lines, they seem to vibrate with light coming from the baby. Curator: Callot, born in 1592, was a master of etching. The detail he achieves is incredible when you consider the size. This print likely circulated widely. Editor: It feels so intimate, almost like spying on a sacred moment. But there is some theatricality in the set-up—the grand reveal of the divine infant. Curator: Religious imagery played a vital role in the public sphere, reinforcing doctrine and shaping social values. An image like this would have been very powerful. Editor: Despite its size, the emotion is monumental, isn't it? I can almost hear the celestial choir. It has the kind of hope that makes you want to be a better person. Curator: Indeed, that blend of technical skill and the emotional resonance made Callot such an influential figure. Editor: A tiny window into a world of immense belief. I leave feeling quietly moved.