Saint Thomas Aquinas c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot’s “Saint Thomas Aquinas," a small etching from the early 17th century, now in the Harvard Art Museums. What's your immediate take? Editor: It’s surprisingly intimate for a religious scene. I feel like I’m peeking in on a private moment of intense devotion. Curator: Callot’s mastery of etching allows for incredibly fine detail, emphasizing the textures of the fabric, the pages of the book, and even the architecture. It makes you consider the social context of printmaking and its dissemination. Editor: The bird perched on the books is a nice touch. It feels like a messenger or a small, feathered muse. Maybe it is whispering heavenly secrets into the ear of the saint? Curator: Exactly! It suggests a divine connection, rendered with the precision that comes from understanding the material conditions of its production. Editor: I think that the simple clarity of the composition, the light and shadows playing on the kneeling figure, makes it feel quite timeless, despite its age. Curator: Ultimately, Callot's work serves as a reminder of the dialogue between faith and material representation. Editor: It’s definitely given me plenty to contemplate.