Saints Tiburtius and Valerianus c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot's "Saints Tiburtius and Valerianus," a tiny print, barely three inches tall. It seems to capture a moment of divine intervention, but the details are so intricate! What draws your eye when you look at this work? Curator: Well, its miniature size belies the grand drama Callot manages to convey. Notice how the angel descends, bearing a crown – a symbol of martyrdom. It’s as if a whole story is unfolding in a single, carefully etched frame. Are you sensing a story here? Editor: Yes! The angel contrasts with the figures on the left. They seem to be doing something, maybe torturing someone? Curator: Indeed! Torture and divinity. Callot’s technical virtuosity allowed him to suggest so much with so little. The power of faith, the cruelty of man, all within this delicate oval. What a profound reminder that even the smallest things can hold immense meaning.