Saint Louis c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Jacques Callot's "Saint Louis," a small etching. It's fascinating how much detail he achieves in such a tiny format! What strikes you most about its production? Curator: I'm drawn to the etcher's hand. Consider the labor—the skilled artisan meticulously incising the copper plate, controlling the corrosive acid to achieve such precise lines. Think, too, about the consumption: who was this image made *for*? Was it devotional? Editor: So the value lies in the craft and its potential use? Curator: Precisely. The very act of its making imbues it with meaning, reflecting both the artist's skill and the societal function of such devotional imagery. How does understanding the printmaking process alter your interpretation? Editor: It makes me appreciate the work involved, and how that labor itself contributes to the image's worth.