Woman Wearing a Hat with Two Plumes, Her Hands on Her Hips, Between Two Men c. 17th century

Curator: This etching by Jacques Callot, "Woman Wearing a Hat with Two Plumes, Her Hands on Her Hips, Between Two Men," is fascinating. It’s tiny, just a few inches, but feels so grand. Editor: I agree. It feels fraught, too. The way she’s positioned, flanked by these men, hands on her hips—it reads like a challenge. Is she held captive, or is this a tableau of power? Curator: Callot often captured Commedia dell'arte characters, wouldn't it be interesting if this were just capturing street life? Perhaps the bravado is simply performative? Editor: Perhaps. Yet, considering the era, the lack of agency afforded women… It's difficult not to see a critique, a power struggle visualized within a seemingly innocuous scene. Curator: It is strange how those tiny lines can evoke such strong feelings, the way Callot could do so much with so little is a testament to his skill. Editor: Precisely. It reminds us that even seemingly simple images can contain multitudes, reflecting complex social dynamics and individual defiance.