Artwork

Signa. Lucia and Trastullo

Signa. Lucia and Trastullo, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1622
Signa. Lucia and Trastullo, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1622

Signa. Lucia and Trastullo 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. Signa.

About this work

Overview

Signa. Lucia and Trastullo, an etching on laid paper created around 1622, is a characteristic work by Jacques Callot, a prolific French Baroque printmaker from Lorraine. The piece exemplifies Callot's penchant for documenting everyday life through meticulous etchings.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts Signa Lucia, a woman in an extravagantly wide, old-fashioned dress, and Trastullo, a man struggling with a gigantic sack. The scene humorously highlights the cumbersome nature of luxury attire and objects, offering a commentary on contemporary social norms.

Technique & Style

Executed in etching, a medium Callot helped elevate, the work showcases his mastery of the technique. The detailed, observant rendering of figures within a spatial context is consistent with Callot's style, which often blended meticulous landscapes with vignettes of everyday and court life.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1622, this etching is part of Callot's extensive oeuvre of over 1,400 works. Specific provenance details for this piece are not provided, but it aligns with Callot's period output, which frequently featured marginalized and ordinary subjects.

Context

Signa. Lucia and Trastullo reflects the Baroque era's interest in depicting everyday life. Callot's work, with its focus on the common and the humorous, contributed to the broader artistic trend of observing and commenting on societal norms through detailed, realistic representations.

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.