Who painted Peasant with Shovel on His Shoulder?

Peasant with Shovel on His Shoulder was painted by Jacques Callot in 1622.

Where can I see Peasant with Shovel on His Shoulder?

Peasant with Shovel on His Shoulder is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Peasant with Shovel on His Shoulder?

Peasant with Shovel on His Shoulder is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Peasant with Shovel on His Shoulder

Jacques Callot , 1622

Peasant with Shovel on His Shoulder 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

Peasant with Shovel on His Shoulder is a circa 1622 etching on laid paper by Jacques Callot, a prolific French Baroque printmaker and draftsman from Lorraine.

Subject & Meaning

The etching portrays a solitary peasant figure carrying a shovel over his shoulder, set against a sparse backdrop of a small hill and a distant village, highlighting a rural laborer of the time.

Technique & Style

Characterized by simple yet sharp lines and ample negative space, the work exemplifies Callot's etching technique, which involved scratching designs into metal plates to produce clear, deeply lined prints.

History & Provenance

Part of Callot's extensive series focusing on rural and marginalized figures, this etching is one of over 1,400 works by the artist, who also depicted soldiers, beggars, and court life, often with detailed landscapes.

Context

Created in the early 17th century, the etching reflects the artistic preferences of the time, where etching was valued for its ability to produce quick, clear images, suiting Callot's prolific output.