Artwork

Drinker Seen From Behind

Drinker Seen From Behind, by Jacques Callot, 1623
Drinker Seen From Behind, by Jacques Callot, 1623

Drinker Seen From Behind is a print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1623 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Back then, these figures were linked to characters in Italian comedy shows called commedia dell’arte.

You see a man with a hunched back bent forward, drinking from a cup. His long coat hangs down, and his hat shades his face. He stands alone, slightly off-center, facing away from you.

This print is part of a series showing people with curved backs, made by Jacques Callot around 1621. Back then, these figures were linked to characters in Italian comedy shows called commedia dell’arte. Callot drew them not as jokes, but with care and detail, showing real people in ordinary moments. He made 21 prints like this one, each portraying a different person with dignity.

Look up The Cleveland Museum of Art to see more prints from this series.
(118 words)

Overview

Drinker Seen From Behind is a print by Jacques Callot, part of a series of 21 depicting individuals with curved backs. The work showcases Callot's attention to detail and his ability to convey dignity in his subjects.

Subject & Meaning

The print features a hunched man drinking from a cup, his face obscured by a hat. His distorted physique and actions may have been associated with character tropes from the commedia dell’arte, implying a flawed character to contemporary viewers.

Technique & Style

Callot's work is characterized by careful rendering and a focus on the everyday lives of his subjects. The series as a whole demonstrates his skill in capturing the nuances of human form and expression.

History & Provenance

The print was published in 1621 as part of the series Varie figure gobbi, created in Florence in 1616.

Context

The commedia dell’arte, a theatrical genre popular at the time, influenced Callot's depiction of figures with curved backs, drawing on character stereotypes familiar to audiences.

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: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.