Who painted Cap. Cardoni and Maramao?

Cap. Cardoni and Maramao was painted by Jacques Callot in 1622.

Where can I see Cap. Cardoni and Maramao?

Cap. Cardoni and Maramao is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Cap. Cardoni and Maramao?

Cap. Cardoni and Maramao is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Cap. Cardoni and Maramao

Jacques Callot , 1622

Cap. Cardoni and Maramao 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. Created around 1622, this etching on laid paper bears the title *Cap.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1622, this etching on laid paper bears the title *Cap. Cardani and Maramao* and is attributed to Jacques Callot, a prolific printmaker from the Duchy of Lorraine. The work exemplifies Callot’s Baroque sensibility, combining vigorous action with finely rendered detail in a compact, narrative composition.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a contest of strength between two men, identified by labels as Cap. Cardani and Maramao. The participants grapple with poles of differing length, their faces twisted in exertion, while surrounding figures and modest architecture recede into the background, suggesting a public spectacle or a humorous episode drawn from everyday life.

Technique & Style

Executed with etching on laid paper, the piece showcases Callot’s precise line work and his ability to convey motion through varied hatching and cross‑hatching. The contrast of light and shadow, together with the energetic arrangement of the figures, reflects the dramatic visual language typical of the Baroque period.

History & Provenance

Part of Callot’s extensive output of more than 1,400 prints, this work belongs to a series in which the artist recorded contemporary customs, occupations, and street scenes. Its survival on laid paper indicates it was likely produced for a broad market of collectors interested in genre subjects during the early 17th century.

Context

During the early 1600s, Lorraine’s artistic scene was influenced by both French and Italian currents. Callot’s prints, including this one, merged observational detail with theatricality, offering a visual record of social interactions that resonated with the period’s fascination with spectacle and the everyday.