Translation of the Body of Mary, Mother of John c. 17th century

Editor: This tiny etching by Jacques Callot, “Translation of the Body of Mary, Mother of John,” is brimming with life! The procession feels so immediate, yet oddly… staged? What do you make of this scene? Curator: Staged is a great word. Callot, a master of pageantry, uses this small space to create a miniature theater. The figures are almost like actors on a stage, each with a clear role. The horses seem to pull the viewer, along with the carriage, into a world of ceremony and belief. Does the piece invite you in, or does it hold you at a distance? Editor: I think it’s both, which is why it’s interesting! I’m now seeing how each tiny figure is so intentionally placed. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Callot's eye transformed the mundane into the divine, turning an etching into a window to another world.