Who painted Peasant Removing His Shoe?

Peasant Removing His Shoe was painted by Jacques Callot in 1617.

Where can I see Peasant Removing His Shoe?

Peasant Removing His Shoe is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Peasant Removing His Shoe?

Peasant Removing His Shoe is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Peasant Removing His Shoe?

Museum-quality prints of Peasant Removing His Shoe are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Peasant Removing His Shoe

Jacques Callot , 1617

Peasant Removing His Shoe is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1617 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Peasant Removing His Shoe is a circa 1617 etching on laid paper by Jacques Callot, a French Baroque printmaker and draftsman from Lorraine. This work exemplifies Callot’s prolific output of over 1,400 etchings, which extensively documented the daily lives of common people during his time.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts a peasant in rustic attire kneeling by a river, engaged in the mundane task of removing his shoe. The scene is set against a detailed landscape featuring a cow, choppy water, distant trees, and a small building on a hill, collectively conveying a sense of everyday rural life in early 17th-century Europe.

Technique & Style

Callot employed sharp, expressive lines to render the intricate folds of the peasant’s clothing and the texture of the cow’s fur, demonstrating his mastery of etching. The composition balances simplicity with meticulous attention to detail, such as the peasant’s hat positioned low on his head.

History & Provenance

While specific provenance details for this piece are not provided, it is part of Callot’s broader oeuvre that captured the social and cultural landscape of its era. The work’s creation date (c. 1617) situates it within Callot’s active period as a leading figure in old master printmaking.

Context

This etching reflects Callot’s fascination with depicting common subjects—soldiers, beggars, and peasants—often juxtaposed with detailed backgrounds, offering glimpses into the lives of non-aristocratic classes in early 17th-century Europe.

Legacy

As one of Callot’s numerous etchings, *Peasant Removing His Shoe* contributes to his enduring legacy in old master printmaking, highlighting the everyday lives of common people and influencing the documentation of social realities through art.