Artwork

The Hunchback with the Feathered Cap

The Hunchback with the Feathered Cap, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1622
The Hunchback with the Feathered Cap, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1622

The Hunchback with the Feathered Cap 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.

About this work

Overview

The Hunchback with the Feathered Cap, created by French baroque printmaker Jacques Callot around 1622, is an etching and engraving on laid paper. This work is part of Callot's extensive oeuvre of over 1,400 etchings, which often focused on documenting the diverse social landscape of his time.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a hunchbacked man, dressed in a long-sleeved shirt, pants, boots, and a feathered cap, walking away from the viewer with a sword at his side. The contrast between his dignified attire and evident disability reflects Callot's interest in portraying marginalized figures with nuanced realism.

Technique & Style

Callot employed etching and engraving techniques to achieve a sketch-like quality with pronounced lines and shading, creating depth and texture. The work exemplifies Baroque stylistic elements, though its overall mood is more subdued than the dramatic lighting typical of the period.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1622, this etching is part of a series by Callot capturing the broad spectrum of early 17th-century life. Specific provenance details for this piece are not provided.

Context

Within Callot's body of work, this piece sits alongside other depictions of soldiers, beggars, and court life, highlighting the artist's fascination with the full range of human experience during the baroque era.

Legacy

As part of Callot's prolific output, The Hunchback with the Feathered Cap contributes to the artist's legacy as a chronicler of 17th-century life, influencing subsequent generations with his detailed, empathetic portrayals of marginalized subjects.

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.