Artwork

Caesar's Coin

Caesar's Coin, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1635
Caesar's Coin, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1635

Caesar's Coin is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Caesar's Coin is a 1635 etching on laid paper by Jacques Callot, a prolific French Baroque printmaker. This work exemplifies Callot's practice of documenting 17th-century life through detailed printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts a straightforward scene of a man receiving a coin, set against a simple background. The subject may allude to everyday transactions or potentially reference historical or biblical themes, though the exact context is not explicitly stated in the available information.

Technique & Style

Created using the etching technique, the work showcases Callot's mastery of scratching designs into metal plates, which were then inked and pressed into paper. The simplicity of the composition highlights the clarity achievable through this medium.

History & Provenance

While the etching's provenance is not detailed here, it is part of Callot's vast output of over 1,400 etchings, which extensively chronicled 17th-century society, including military, impoverished, and courtly life.

Context

Displayed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, 'Caesar's Coin' is accompanied by educational resources on the etching process, providing viewers with insight into its creation.

Legacy

As part of Callot's comprehensive body of work, 'Caesar's Coin' contributes to the artist's enduring legacy as a chronicler of his era and a technically skilled printmaker.

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.