Envy c. 17th century

Curator: What a fascinating work! This is "Envy" by Jacques Callot, and though we don't have an exact date, it was created sometime between his birth in 1592 and death in 1635. Editor: It's immediately striking. The linear quality creates a frenetic energy, and the figure is almost grotesque. Curator: Indeed, Callot has masterfully depicted Envy as a haggard figure, complete with snakes coiling around her and a grotesque demon flying above. Snakes were of course, a common symbol for evil and deceit. Editor: And what of that dog? She looks quite miserable and gaunt as if perpetually hungry, an enduring emblem of insatiable craving. The body language is so skillfully wrought. Curator: Precisely! Callot uses these potent symbols to create a lasting image of human vice. It's a stark reminder of envy's destructive nature. Editor: A chilling exploration rendered through rigorous technique, the detail is remarkably precise. Curator: Indeed, Callot's masterful etching leaves a lasting impression about the self-devouring nature of envy.