Parade on Foot 1627

Curator: This is Jacques Callot's "Parade on Foot," a print depicting a grand procession. The scale of the event is quite impressive. Editor: Yes, the etching conveys a remarkable sense of pomp and ceremony. The meticulous detail in the rendering of fabric and architectural space speaks to the labor involved in creating such spectacles, and, by extension, the making of the print itself. Curator: Callot, who lived from 1592 to 1635, captured the performative aspects of power, and the social hierarchies on display. Note how the figures are meticulously arranged, reflecting very specific social standing. Editor: Absolutely. It's fascinating to consider how the materiality of copper plate engraving allowed Callot to disseminate this image, documenting and, in a sense, producing the very spectacle it depicts. Curator: Seeing the labor, the status, the materials together provides a great glimpse into the era. Editor: Indeed, it makes you wonder what kinds of resources are invested in such displays, both then and now.