Who painted Cicho Sgarra and Collo Francisco?

Cicho Sgarra and Collo Francisco was painted by Jacques Callot in 1622.

Where can I see Cicho Sgarra and Collo Francisco?

Cicho Sgarra and Collo Francisco is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Cicho Sgarra and Collo Francisco?

Cicho Sgarra and Collo Francisco is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Cicho Sgarra and Collo Francisco

Jacques Callot , 1622

Cicho Sgarra and Collo Francisco 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

Created circa 1622, this etching on laid paper is attributed to Jacques Callot, a prolific French printmaker of the early Baroque period. The image presents two grotesque, winged figures advancing through shallow water, observed by a multitude of diminutive onlookers on the shore. The work exemplifies Callot’s interest in vivid, narrative scenes drawn from contemporary folklore and everyday life.

Subject & Meaning

The central characters, labeled Cicho Sgra and Collo Francisco, appear as mythic or allegorical beings, distinguished by horns, wild hair, and feathered wings. Their angry demeanor and the surrounding crowd suggest a theatrical or moral tableau, possibly commenting on the chaotic forces that disrupt ordinary society, a theme recurrent in Callot’s depictions of marginal figures.

Technique & Style

Executed with fine etching lines on laid paper, the print displays Callot’s characteristic precision and energetic hatching. The sharp, scratchy strokes convey texture in the water and the turbulent movement of the figures, while the crowded shoreline is rendered with delicate stippling, creating depth and a sense of bustling activity within a compact composition.

History & Provenance

Part of Callot’s extensive output of more than 1,400 prints, this work reflects his early career in Lorraine before his later service at the French court. The etching has been documented in several catalogues of Callot’s oeuvre and is held in public collections that specialize in Baroque prints, underscoring its role in the artist’s documentation of 17th‑century social scenes.