Saint Julia c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot's "Saint Julia", a small yet striking print housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. The dimensions are only 7.6 by 4.9 centimeters. Editor: It's stark, and the lines, though delicate, convey immense brutality. The light and dark contrast creates a dramatic tension. Curator: Callot, active in the early 17th century, masterfully uses etching to depict Julia’s martyrdom. Note the ship in the background, a detail indicative of her story, and the contraption used to torture her. What can you make of it? Editor: I'm particularly drawn to the recurring motif of the wheel: the ship's wheel implied, Julia bound to a wheel-like device. Wheels of fate, fortune, and torture are commonly linked to martyrdom and sacrifice. Curator: The etching process itself, with its biting acid and meticulous layering, mirrors the slow, agonizing torment inflicted on Julia. It is a testament to the craftsmanship and labor involved. Editor: Indeed, the symbolic weight is heavy, yet presented with a certain detached elegance characteristic of Callot’s style. It’s a potent image. Curator: A fitting convergence of material and meaning, wouldn't you say? Editor: Absolutely, a hauntingly memorable piece.