Artwork

Plan and Elevation of the Church near the House of Annas

Plan and Elevation of the Church near the House of Annas, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1619
Plan and Elevation of the Church near the House of Annas, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1619

Plan and Elevation of the Church near the House of Annas is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1619 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1619, the print titled *Plan and Elevation of the Church near the House of Annas* presents a straightforward architectural drawing of a modest church façade. Executed on laid paper, the image combines an etching with engraving, showing a gabled roof, a door offset to the right, a series of windows, and a solitary tree positioned before the structure.

Subject & Meaning

The work records a specific ecclesiastical building situated close to the historic House of Annas, offering a visual survey rather than a narrative scene. By isolating the church’s plan and elevation, the image serves as a documentary record, reflecting the period’s interest in the spatial organization of sacred spaces and their relationship to surrounding landscape elements.

Technique & Style

Jacques Callot employed a dual process of acid‑etched lines and hand‑cut engraved details, allowing for both delicate tonal variation and crisp architectural outlines. The composition relies on linear precision and minimal shading, characteristic of his broader oeuvre, while the restrained decorative treatment aligns with early Baroque tendencies toward clear, ordered representation of built forms.

History & Provenance

The French printmaker, active in the Duchy of Lorraine, produced more than fourteen hundred prints during his career, many of which documented contemporary religious and military subjects. This particular piece, a restrike of an earlier impression, survives in several museum collections, illustrating Callot’s enduring reputation for meticulous architectural rendering.

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.