Who painted The Re-embarkation of the Troops?

The Re-embarkation of the Troops was painted by Jacques Callot in 1614.

Where can I see The Re-embarkation of the Troops?

The Re-embarkation of the Troops is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Re-embarkation of the Troops?

The Re-embarkation of the Troops is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Re-embarkation of the Troops

Jacques Callot , 1614

The Re-embarkation of the Troops is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1614 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1614 by Jacques Callot, a French baroque printmaker from the Duchy of Lorraine, this work is an engraving executed on laid paper. It belongs to Callot’s prolific output of more than 1,400 prints, which often serve as visual records of early‑17th‑century life.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures a tumultuous beach engagement, with infantry and cavalry intermingled amid wounded figures. Ships lie anchored on the near shore, while clouds of smoke or dust fill the sky, suggesting a chaotic withdrawal or re‑embarkation of troops under fire.

Technique & Style

Callot employs fine, intersecting lines to model light, shadow, and texture, creating a sense of depth and movement uncommon in earlier prints. The use of laid paper provides a subtle tooth that enhances the engraving’s intricate detail, aligning the piece with the old master printmaking tradition.

History & Provenance

The print emerged during a period when Callot was documenting contemporary military scenes for a European audience. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work circulated among collectors of early modern prints and contributed to Callot’s reputation as a chronicler of his era.

Context

In the early 17th century, the Thirty Years’ War and related conflicts heightened interest in visual accounts of warfare. Callot’s engravings, including this one, responded to that demand, offering a blend of artistic skill and documentary precision that informed both patrons and fellow artists.