Who painted Bartolomeo, Farrier?

Bartolomeo, Farrier was painted by Jacques Callot in 1619.

Where can I see Bartolomeo, Farrier?

Bartolomeo, Farrier is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Bartolomeo, Farrier?

Bartolomeo, Farrier is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Bartolomeo, Farrier

Jacques Callot , 1619

Bartolomeo, Farrier is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1619 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot’s 1619 engraving titled *Bartolomeo, Farrier* presents a bustling street scene in which a farrier is thrown from a rearing horse. The composition captures the moment of the man’s fall, surrounded by onlookers and a nearby arched doorway. Executed on laid paper, the print exemplifies Callot’s interest in everyday occupations within a Baroque visual language.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a farrier—an artisan who shoes horses—caught in a sudden mishap as his mount lifts its hind legs and tosses him to the ground. The surrounding crowd, rendered with varied gestures, emphasizes the public nature of the incident, suggesting a commentary on the precariousness of manual labor in early‑seventeenth‑century urban life.

Technique & Style

Callot employs fine, intersecting lines and dense cross‑hatching to model texture, from the sheen of the farrier’s coat to the musculature of the horse. The engraving’s chiaroscuro—sharp contrasts of light and shadow—creates depth and drama, while the precise draftsmanship reflects the artist’s mastery of the etching medium and his capacity for intricate detail.

History & Provenance

Created while Callot was active in the Duchy of Lorraine, the print belongs to a prolific period in which he produced more than 1,400 etchings documenting contemporary life. *Bartolomeo, Farrier* forms part of his broader series on trades and occupations, illustrating the artist’s systematic visual record of early modern society.