Saint Anthony of Padua c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot's "Saint Anthony of Padua," a small engraving, only about 7.6 by 4.9 centimeters. Editor: It's stark. The etching is economical but creates a deep sense of space, with the saint dominating the foreground and those smaller figures receding into the distance. Curator: Callot was a master of etching, known for his depictions of religious figures and scenes from daily life. Saint Anthony was renowned for his miracles, often shown holding the Christ Child, as seen here. This image circulated during a period of immense religious and political conflict. Editor: Look at the way he uses line to create depth. The saint's robes are rendered with such precision, conveying a strong sense of form. And the figures in the background, they are just suggestions of form and movement. Curator: Yes, it provided visual comfort amid social upheaval. Editor: It’s remarkable how much detail Callot achieves with so few lines. Curator: Indeed. A powerful image despite its size.