St Justa, three-quarter length, turned to right, holding two pots and a palm 1840 - 1860

Editor: So, here we have "St Justa, three-quarter length, turned to right, holding two pots and a palm," an engraving dating from the mid-19th century by Auguste Blanchard père. The way she's gazing upward, coupled with the muted tones, gives the piece a really contemplative and serene feel. What stands out to you when you look at this, from a historical and artistic point of view? Curator: Well, first off, isn't it funny how saints end up accessorized? Those pots and that palm aren't just there; they tell us about Justa, a patron saint of potters, which tickles me pink, actually! But look closer: The engraving, it's more than just lines, right? Blanchard’s working within that Neoclassical moment. It's about that ideal, a purity almost... a desire to reach some ancient golden age, even through a very specific religious lens. Do you see that in the sort of crispness of the lines? Editor: Absolutely! The clarity in her features and drapery definitely suggests that pursuit of an ideal. It’s interesting to think about Neoclassicism finding its way into religious portraiture like this. Curator: And how! Like those Romans borrowing Greek statues! The engraving technique gives this piece a lovely permanence, but it also softens the features so the eye isn’t met with something overtly carnal... But tell me, do you think Justa herself would giggle if she knew she'd be immortalized holding pottery like this? Editor: That’s a thought I hadn’t considered! It makes her seem more relatable. I appreciate that it isn't necessarily about perfect accuracy; there's space for interpretation and a sense of imagined history. It connects her humanness to the grandeur that she came to be known for. Curator: Exactly! These are all things that can be explored while discovering our favorite pieces.