Sudarium of Saint Veronica, with the Face of the Thorn-Crowned Savior 1649

Editor: This is Claude Mellan's "Sudarium of Saint Veronica, with the Face of the Thorn-Crowned Savior." I'm struck by the almost photographic detail he achieves using only a single line. How do you interpret this work, particularly the technique? Curator: It's like Mellan is spinning light itself! He starts with the nose, then spirals outwards. Imagine the meditative focus, the sheer confidence required to create the entire image without lifting his burin. What does it say about faith, about the nature of divine creation itself? Editor: So, it's not just a depiction, but also a reflection on the act of creation? Curator: Precisely! Mellan’s single line becomes a metaphor for the singular nature of Christ, the unicity of God. It’s ingenious, really, a visual sermon. Editor: I never thought about it that way, it really opens up the work. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Art is just like that, isn't it? A constant unfolding.