Artwork

Reception at Mantua [recto]

Reception at Mantua [recto], by Jacques Callot, ink, 1612
Reception at Mantua [recto], by Jacques Callot, ink, 1612

Reception at Mantua [recto] is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1612 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Reception at Mantua [recto] is an etching on laid paper created by French Baroque artist Jacques Callot in 1612. This work exemplifies Callot's prolific output, with over 1,400 etchings documenting 17th-century life.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a formal gathering of nobility in a grand, columned and arched interior, capturing the ceremonial customs of the period's upper class.

Technique & Style

Executed in etching, a technique Callot mastered, the work showcases his technical skill and attention to detail, evident in the rendering of intricate clothing and architectural elements.

History & Provenance

Created in 1612, the etching is part of Callot's broader oeuvre focusing on court life, military themes, and societal figures, often set within detailed landscapes.

Context

Reception at Mantua reflects the Baroque period's fascination with grandeur and the documentation of elite social rituals, providing a visual record of 17th-century nobility's attire and architectural tastes.

Legacy

Callot's technical proficiency and observational approach in works like Reception at Mantua significantly influenced the evolution of old master printmaking.

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.