Who painted Raising of the Cross?

Raising of the Cross was painted by Jacques Callot in 1624.

Where can I see Raising of the Cross?

Raising of the Cross is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Raising of the Cross?

Raising of the Cross is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Raising of the Cross

Jacques Callot , 1624

Raising of the Cross is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1624 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot, a French printmaker active in the early seventeenth century, produced the etching *Raising of the Cross* circa 1624. Executed on laid paper, the work belongs to his extensive output of more than a thousand etched images that range across religious, military and everyday subjects.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a tumultuous procession in which a tall wooden cross is hoisted up a hill. Soldiers on horseback and on foot, some brandishing spears, surround the effort, while a dense crowd watches from the base. In the distance a group gathers on an elevated platform, adding layers of narrative tension to the scene.

Technique & Style

Callot employs fine, intersecting lines and delicate hatching to convey depth and movement within the monochrome medium. Overlapping strokes create a sense of three‑dimensional space, while the crisp contours emphasize the urgency of the figures’ actions. The etching demonstrates his mastery of the medium’s capacity for intricate detail.

History & Provenance

Created in the Duchy of Lorraine, the print reflects Callot’s engagement with religious iconography alongside his broader interest in contemporary life. It forms part of the body of work that established his reputation as a leading baroque etcher and contributed to the diffusion of French printmaking across Europe.

Context

During the early 1620s, religious subjects remained a prominent theme in European art, often serving both devotional and didactic purposes. Callot’s depiction aligns with the baroque tendency toward dramatic, crowded scenes that convey emotional intensity and narrative complexity.