Saint Conon c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot's small engraving, "Saint Conon." It looks to me like a scene of cruelty and forced labor. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, the scene certainly depicts the martyrdom of Saint Conon, a rather gruesome affair if we're being honest. It’s interesting how Callot uses the small scale to create a sense of distance, almost like we're observing a miniature drama. And the horses, so full of life, unknowingly pulling a man to his death – there's a certain irony, don't you think? Editor: That's a dark humor. I didn’t consider that. Curator: Callot was a master of capturing the complexities of human experience, even in the face of brutality. These old masters know how to convey a story through such a small artwork.