Artwork

Man with Big Belly

Man with Big Belly, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1622
Man with Big Belly, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1622

Man with Big Belly 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

Man with Big Belly is a print created by Jacques Callot around 1622, utilizing etching and engraving techniques on laid paper. Characteristic of Callot's prolific output, this work captures a moment of everyday life.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a rotund, smiling yet slightly grumpy man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and striped attire, walking or balancing while holding a long stick and blowing bubbles. He embodies one of Callot's typical marginalized or common figures, such as soldiers, beggars, or clowns, often set against detailed backgrounds.

Technique & Style

Executed in etching and engraving, the piece showcases Callot's mastery of precise, scratchy lines inherent to these techniques. Etching allowed for mass production of detailed images, a key aspect of Callot's extensive oeuvre of over 1,400 etchings.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1622, Man with Big Belly is part of Callot's series of genre scenes, which frequently featured landscapes or urban backdrops. The current location and ownership history of the specific print are not provided.

Context

As a French Baroque printmaker from the Duchy of Lorraine, Callot's work reflected his observations of contemporary life, giving visibility to the lives of the marginalized in 17th-century Europe.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of Man with Big Belly are not provided, Callot's overall body of work significantly influenced the development of printmaking, particularly in the Baroque period, due to its voluminous output and detailed documentation of everyday life.

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.