Who painted Eagle Losing an Old Feather?

Eagle Losing an Old Feather was painted by Jacques Callot in 1628.

Where can I see Eagle Losing an Old Feather?

Eagle Losing an Old Feather is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Eagle Losing an Old Feather?

Eagle Losing an Old Feather is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Eagle Losing an Old Feather

Jacques Callot , 1628

Eagle Losing an Old Feather is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Eagle Losing an Old Feather is a 1628 etching on laid paper by Jacques Callot, a prolific French Baroque printmaker from Lorraine. This work exemplifies his diverse output, which spanned over 1,400 etchings capturing aspects of 17th-century life, religion, warfare, and landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts an eagle in mid-flight shedding a feather near its tail, set against a dramatic seascape with a rocky shore, buildings, and swirling clouds. The falling feather may symbolize loss, transience, or the fleeting nature of power or time.

Technique & Style

Callot employed etching to achieve textured, near-three-dimensional effects, evident in the eagle’s plumage and the undulating sea. The rough, dynamic quality of the scene reflects the expressive potential of his line work.

History & Provenance

Created in 1628, the etching is part of Callot’s broader thematic exploration of human and animal subjects, aligning with visual conventions of his era. Specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

Within Callot’s oeuvre, this work sits alongside other depictions of life, religion, and landscape, characteristic of Baroque-era artistic preoccupations with movement, drama, and symbolism.

Legacy

As part of Callot’s extensive body of work, *Eagle Losing an Old Feather* contributes to his enduring influence on printmaking techniques and the representation of dynamic natural and symbolic themes in early modern European art.