Conversion of Saint Augustine c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot's "Conversion of Saint Augustine," a small etching, probably from the early 17th century. It feels very staged, like a scene from a play. What symbols stand out to you? Curator: The most potent is the phrase "Tolle Lege" radiating from the heavens. This translates to "Take up and read," the divine command that prompted Augustine to open the scriptures and begin his spiritual transformation. Editor: And the figures behind the fence? Curator: Precisely! These three figures represent divine authority. Fences often symbolize boundaries, so we can see the divine world separated from Saint Augustine. Editor: It's interesting to see how Callot uses those visual cues to tell the story so succinctly. Curator: Indeed. Even today, we understand the weight of these symbols.