Saint Onesimus c. 17th century

Curator: Here we have Jacques Callot’s small etching, "Saint Onesimus." Editor: It's a chaotic scene rendered in crisp lines, the confined oval intensifying the sense of drama. Curator: Callot, who lived from 1592 to 1635, situates this scene of Onesimus, traditionally the patron saint of former slaves, within a broader context of religious and social reform. How might that impact our reading? Editor: The linear hatching certainly directs our gaze. The figures in the background, the architecture—all lend a certain structural weight to the composition, even if the action appears brutal. Curator: Indeed, it suggests how representations of power and faith intersected with lived experiences of enslavement in the 17th century. The violence and implied promise of redemption speak to a complex social dynamic. Editor: I find the overall form wonderfully balanced despite the violence depicted. Curator: A powerful piece that allows us to consider historical and personal transformation. Editor: And an excellent example of how Callot manipulates line to create a compelling narrative.