Artwork

Two Seated Figures

Two Seated Figures, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1617
Two Seated Figures, by Jacques Callot, ink, 1617

Two Seated Figures is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1617 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Two Seated Figures is an etching on laid paper created by Jacques Callot, a French printmaker and draftsman, around 1617. The work is characteristic of Callot's extensive oeuvre, which comprises over 1,400 etchings.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts two men seated together, their faces obscured by hats. One figure holds a glass, while the other rests his hand on a table, suggesting a scene of relaxation or conviviality.

Technique & Style

Callot employed the etching technique to achieve a range of tonal values, using fine lines to convey the interplay of light and shadow. The resulting image is marked by heavy shadows and a strong sense of chiaroscuro.

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.