Paradise c. 17th century

Curator: Jacques Callot's "Paradise" unfolds before us like a dream, a meticulously etched vision of the afterlife. Editor: It feels so incredibly hierarchical, even in its supposed transcendence. The seated figures at the center command so much visual authority. Curator: Callot really excelled at capturing the textures of fabric and skin with just the burin, it’s a bit heavenly in itself. Editor: Considering Callot's context – the Counter-Reformation – this idealized scene is fraught with the power dynamics of salvation and damnation. Curator: Perhaps, but I find a tenderness there, too. The way the light seems to emanate from each figure, each face. Editor: Well, it certainly provokes reflection on who gets to define "Paradise" and whose experiences are centered in such narratives. Curator: Indeed, it’s quite a lot to unpack. Editor: Absolutely.