Saint Gallicanus c. 17th century

Curator: Jacques Callot, who lived from 1592 to 1635, created this small etching, "Saint Gallicanus," now housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It's an image teeming with figures, though quite compact. Editor: It's striking how Callot captured such a sense of drama and conversion within this oval frame, the lines giving it a restless, energetic feel. Curator: The print depicts Saint Gallicanus, a Roman soldier who, according to legend, converted to Christianity. Notice the saint's prominent position on horseback, contrasted with the cross carried by another figure on horseback to the right. Editor: It's also important to consider the power dynamics. The Roman military, often associated with oppression, is transformed here. It shows how marginalized groups reinterpreted symbols of authority to serve their own narratives. Curator: Certainly. Callot's work gives insight into the role of religious imagery in shaping social identity. This piece is also an intriguing microcosm of early modern print culture. Editor: Absolutely. It urges us to consider how historical narratives continue to influence representations of identity and power today.