Artwork

Beggar Woman with Pan

Beggar Woman with Pan, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1622
Beggar Woman with Pan, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1622

Beggar Woman with Pan is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1622 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Beggar Woman with Pan is an etching on laid paper created by Jacques Callot around 1622. It is one of over 1,400 etchings produced by the French Baroque printmaker.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a woman, likely a beggar, wearing a long pleated skirt and headscarf, holding a pan. Her attire and the object she holds suggest a life of hardship or need. The scene invites the viewer to ponder her circumstances.

Technique & Style

Callot's use of etching and drypoint techniques achieves a sense of depth and texture, guiding the viewer's attention to the woman's face and the pan. The detailed rendering of the subject against a plain background is characteristic of his genre scenes.

Context

The work is part of Callot's extensive documentation of contemporary life, including marginalized figures. It reflects his interest in capturing the social realities of his time, often set against detailed landscapes.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jacques Callot

Artist

Jacques Callot

Jacques Callot was a baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.