Who painted Lady in a Large Coat?

Lady in a Large Coat was painted by Jacques Callot in 1622.

Where can I see Lady in a Large Coat?

Lady in a Large Coat is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Lady in a Large Coat?

Lady in a Large Coat is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Lady in a Large Coat

Jacques Callot , 1622

Lady in a Large Coat 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, *Lady in a Large Coat* is an etching on laid paper by Jacques Callot, a French printmaker active in the early seventeenth century. The image presents a solitary female figure dressed in an oversized coat and a broad-brimmed hat, rendered with a careful balance of line and shadow that gives the garment a palpable sense of weight.

Subject & Meaning

The work focuses on a single, unnamed woman whose attire suggests a fashionably heavy outerwear uncommon for the period, perhaps indicating status or a specific social role. The absence of narrative elements beyond the figure invites viewers to consider the individual’s presence and the visual study of contemporary dress rather than a broader storyline.

Technique & Style

Callot employed a fine, controlled etching technique, producing crisp, delicate lines that define the folds of the coat and the texture of the hat. The use of laid paper enhances the tonal variation, while subtle cross‑hatching creates depth and shadow, exemplifying the artist’s mastery of line work that remains clear in modern reproductions.

History & Provenance

Part of Callot’s extensive output of more than 1,400 prints, this piece reflects his habit of documenting everyday figures within his broader oeuvre of courtly, military, and genre scenes. The etching has been held in several public collections, including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, where it contributes to the representation of early Baroque printmaking.

Context

Operating from the Duchy of Lorraine, Callot worked during the Baroque period, a time when printmaking expanded as a means of disseminating visual information. His prints often combined meticulous observation of clothing and posture with a broader interest in social types, situating *Lady in a Large Coat* within a larger practice of visual anthropology.