Who painted Stag in the Water?

Stag in the Water was painted by Jacques Callot in 1628.

Where can I see Stag in the Water?

Stag in the Water is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Stag in the Water?

Stag in the Water is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Stag in the Water

Jacques Callot , 1628

Stag in the Water is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1628, *Stag in the Water* is an etching on laid paper by Jacques Callot, a French printmaker active in the early Baroque era. The work measures modestly, yet it conveys a clear scene of a deer at a riverbank, rendered in monochrome with precise line work.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a solitary stag bending to drink from a tranquil river, framed by a barren tree and a distant settlement perched on a hill. The composition balances the animal’s natural behavior with a quiet, rural landscape, suggesting a moment of stillness within the broader countryside.

Technique & Style

Callot employed the traditional etching process, incising lines into a copper plate with acid to hold ink. The resulting print shows crisp, sharply defined outlines, delicate water ripples, and subtle gradations of shadow that give the scene depth despite its small scale.

History & Provenance

Part of Callot’s prolific output—over 1,400 prints documenting everyday life and varied subjects—this piece exemplifies his interest in combining genre detail with landscape. It was produced in the Duchy of Lorraine, where Callot worked before his later years in Paris, and has since entered collections of European print holdings.

Context

During the early 17th century, French printmakers like Callot expanded the possibilities of etching, moving beyond religious and mythological themes to portray quotidian scenes. *Stag in the Water* reflects this shift, integrating natural observation with the baroque taste for atmospheric effect.