Who painted The Captain?

The Captain was painted by Jacques Callot in 1619.

Where can I see The Captain?

The Captain is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Captain?

The Captain is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Captain

Jacques Callot , 1619

The Captain 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

The Captain is an engraving on laid paper created by French artist Jacques Callot in 1619. It is a representative work of Callot's extensive printmaking output, which often documented contemporary scenes.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a chaotic battle scene with a central figure, a soldier on horseback, clutching his face as he falls. The surrounding combatants engage in fierce fighting, set against a detailed landscape with a turbulent sky.

Technique & Style

Callot employed cross-hatching, using tiny parallel lines to create shadows and texture, contributing to the scene's dramatic and busy atmosphere. This technique is characteristic of Callot's work and was used to convey depth and detail in the engraving.

History & Provenance

Created in 1619 by Jacques Callot, a printmaker from the Duchy of Lorraine, The Captain reflects the artist's interest in documenting military life and other contemporary themes.